Four simple gardening mistakes not to make as hotter temperatures on way for UK

Warmer climes are on the horizon for the UK this week, and for those with a bit of green space, it's time to take note.

The trend "#DIYVegetableGarden" has amassed a whopping 84.1 million views on TikTok. Yell's experts have sifted through the most viral gardening tips on the platform, offering advice on how to kickstart your own veg patch.

For beginners eager to cultivate their own veggies, starting small is key, as reported by the Express. The size of your vegetable garden will likely be determined by the available space.

It's wise to begin modestly, especially if you're new to gardening.

A handy tip is to adhere to the one-metre rule, which allows for a variety of vegetables and herbs to be grown within a single square metre. Contrary to what planting labels may suggest, many vegetables can thrive in close quarters, enabling you to make the most of limited space, reports the Mirror.

However, getting the spacing wrong can be detrimental to your vegetable garden, stunting growth and increasing the likelihood of diseases like mildew and botrytis, which could devastate your crop.

Flat board spacing is another technique to consider.

A popular gardening hack that's been making waves on TikTok is the carrot board. With search demand for 'plant spacing tips' surging by 103 percent over the past month, it's clear that the success of your vegetable plot hinges significantly on how you space out your crops.

Utilising a flat wooden board with straight rows for spacing is an excellent method to ensure your vegetables grow correctly.

This viral TikTok hack involves taking a flat board and affixing bottle caps, topside down, approximately two to three inches apart in a single row for a board that is twelve inches wide. This technique proves particularly beneficial when growing carrots, which should be planted in rows spaced twelve inches apart.

However, some varieties may allow for closer row spacing.

Soil testing using household items.

The quality of your soil can make or break the success of your vegetable plot. One of the most popular TikTok hacks for vegetable gardening involves testing your soil type.

With over 391,100 views under the hashtag #SoilTesting, it's evident that soil preparation is crucial.

The testing checklist includes assessing the type, pH, and nutrient composition before planting. While you can buy a soil testing kit, there are also DIY methods available.

For instance, you can check soil pH inexpensively by mixing some of your soil with vinegar - if it bubbles, the soil is alkaline. Alternatively, mix with baking soda and, if it bubbles, the soil is acidic.

No reaction indicates that the soil is neutral.

Vertical growth.

When deciding what to plant in your garden, starting with climbing or vining plants such as beans, cucumbers, and tomatoes is a straightforward way to ensure success.

To start cultivating climbing vegetables, you can construct some basic trellises using pruned branches from your garden or bamboo canes, tied together with twine. You can then position some old buckets or other repurposed containers at the base and use these to grow your plants.

In particularly small spaces, especially if you are adhering to the one-metre rule, you can even utilise old plastic drink bottles to create planting towers, with holes in the sides to grow strawberries, lettuce, herbs and other edibles.

Easy-to-grow veggies.

The most thrilling part of your vegetable garden is selecting which crops you wish to grow. For novices, beginning with the easiest vegetables to grow will increase your chances of success on your first attempt.

Opt for low-maintenance vegetables that don't require a lot of work to cultivate and seeds that can be planted easily and quickly. TikTok's favourite easy-to-grow vegetables include:.