Singing to plants is one of the unusual hacks people use to help garden thrive

The most unusual hacks people use to help their gardens thrive include using bones as fertilisers, destroying fungus with cinnamon – and singing to their plants.

A poll of 2,000 adults revealed the quirkier strategies those who garden adopt to help their plants grow, with throwing used teabags onto the soil also making the list.

Making beer traps for slugs, using ash from the fireplace as a fertiliser, and watering plants with potato water were also cited as different gardening tricks.

The study found 66 per cent of those who garden do it because of the satisfaction they get from achieving results.

While 47 per cent claim it gives them somewhere to escape, and 45 per cent enjoy the nurturing aspect.

More than four in 10 (42 per cent) most enjoy watering plants, 31 per cent thrive from mowing the grass, and 35 per cent love harvesting their own fruit and veg.

Tomatoes, strawberries, and potatoes were the top three most popular produce to grow, with 27 per cent aiming to save money by this method.

The overall gardening goals include improving mental wellbeing (47 per cent), helping the environment (40 per cent), and learning new skills (25 per cent).

However, 49 per cent would like to spend more time in their green space than they currently do.

It emerged 95 per cent agree it is important to find time for the things you enjoy, with lack of time cited as the main reason why 54 per cent don’t garden as much as they would like to.

The study, conducted via OnePoll.com, also found 54 per cent would rather go to a garden centre than a nightclub.

And 72 per cent believe it is an activity that all ages can enjoy – and not just for older people.

TOP 15 UNUSUAL HACKS TO HELP GARDENS GROW

1. Using eggshells as fertiliser
2. Using used coffee grounds as a fertiliser
3. Growing new fruit/vegetables from leftover vegetable roots/seeds
4. Throwing used teabags onto the soil
5. Using banana peels as fertiliser
6. Talking to my plants
7. Making beer traps for slugs
8. Using ash from the fireplace as fertiliser
9. Using potato water to water plants
10. Sprinkling cayenne pepper to ward off pests
11. Using bones as a fertiliser
12. Singing to my plants
13. Sprinkling cinnamon on the ground to deter cats
14. Destroying fungus with cinnamon
15. ‘Planting’ plastic forks to keep animals away