While it’s not quite Spring, Winter is beginning to melt away. And that means one thing, the Sun will give way to the emergence of all creatures great and small, including yourself. But your outdoor space gets neglected in the cold season and might need a little sprucing up. So here are 11 easy DIY projects for a better garden space to enjoy in the warmth.
Plant Pots and Hangers
A garden isn’t really a garden without an abundance of plants. But controlling them in the wild becomes a job in itself. Aids like vertical planters or a garden trellis help direct rapidly growing vines where to go.
But anything with a cavern can become a plant pot, so you don’t need to go out buying new ceramics or terracottas from the local garden store. Colanders, tin cans and muffin containers are excellent for holding soil and therefore herbs and small plants. Further, the materials these are made from make it easy for you to string and hang them almost anywhere.
Spare Tyre Herb Gardens
If you actually look around, it isn’t too challenging to find spare tyres that aren’t fit for your vehicles. It’s even probable you have some in your garage or yard. It’s also likely that if you do have some tires, they are being used by the kids as a swing.
But because of the materials they are made from, tyres stand up well to the elements and weather and therefore can be used in the garden. They are also deep enough to hold adequate soil for growing vegetables and herbs. You can also stack them for a pleasing layered look if you have many.
Spare Bits Fire Pits
There’s nothing like sitting around a fire as the Sun goes down on a cosy night. Sitting with beloved family and friends with your favourite food and drink as the flames gently lick away makes genuinely memorable moments.
Yet, as simple as a fire pit is, some garden centres and DIY stores charge an obscene amount of money. But basically, anything made from a strong fireproof material makes a good fire pit. So, for example, an old BBQ that you no longer use, a cast iron pot or even an old wheelbarrow make excellent fire pit materials.
Paint Your Outdoor Furniture
Depending on where you live, your outdoor furniture might be exposed to some of the weather’s worst elements. For example, it’s likely your garden items take a battering for most of the year in the UK. Wind, rain and snow can damage your stuff, and the Sun will bleach the colour from outdoor furniture.
Things like benches, tables and chairs can benefit from a fresh coat of paint. However, a good tip is to paint them with bright colours, so they stand up to the brightness of the Summer sun when the time comes to use them again.
Pallet Planters
Pretty much anything with a space makes a good home for plants so long as there’s enough room for the right amount of soil. However, you might want uniformity in your flowers, vegetables or herbs.
Pallet planters are excellent since they keep everything aligned. Exposed and stacked, you can create a great layered herb garden. Or you can use them underneath your soil areas as a guide for keeping your plants in line.
You can get pallets from DIY stores, garden centres or a landscape center and many will let you take them for free or for less than the cost of a coffee.
Mistakes to Avoid
Not all DIY projects in the garden relate to upcycling and reusing stuff. You might want to get your hands dirty and make your garden a place to be proud of. Planting, looking after soil and being aware of wildlife habitats are key. Some common mistakes to avoid include:
- Not knowing your soil
- Watering at the wrong times
- Knowing how much light a plant needs
- Overzealous pest control
- Inadequate pruning
There are various soil types such as clay, peat and loam, and knowing what soil you have determines what you can plant. In addition, you should understand how water and sunlight work for each plant you install, or they won’t last long. And be aware of how to safely use pesticides.
Hedgehog Hotels
If you take on any garden challenges to make a green oasis in your own home, you need to be careful of wildlife.
Making drastic changes to your garden can displace innocent animals that depend on the plants in your garden to survive. Instead, you can accommodate common garden animals like hedgehogs by building herbivore hotels.
Wooden boxes such as wine crates are excellent since they are natural, organic and sheltered. Place the hotel in the quietest part of your garden and cover it with leaves, straw and other natural debris to attract furry residents.
The Birds and the Bees
Further to attracting small wildlife, birds and bees are essential for a flourishing garden. Birds are excellent for eating pests as a natural food source, so you won’t need to use chemicals. Bees pollinate flowers and allow them to grow.
You can attract more birds with a DIY feeder. The easiest is by hanging bird seeds and fat balls in a net so they can peck away.
Birds make their own homes, but you can easily attract more bees by planting flowers native to your area. Single petal flowers are best, but herbs like rosemary, thyme and sage are also great.
The Edge of the Hedge
While a wild look allows you to appreciate nature as it should be, you also need functional areas of your garden. Usable space lets you host guests, BBQ or relax.
Giving your lawn some structure with a defined edge is a great way to separate the wild part of your garden from the parts you need to use.
Edging looks excellent in straight lines, but you can also add some curves for a pleasing and casual appearance.
Edging also lets you keep your lawn in check by keeping a barrier between areas. You can fill the buffer zones with mulch or gravel.
A Wall of Green
You can make the most of a bare garden wall by making it a home for wild-growing plants. You can control the direction and growth using vertical planters, and they don’t require much maintenance.
Once planted, you can just let them grow and trim and water when necessary. Not only do growing walls look impressive, but they also provide benefits to your garden as well.
While looking lush and flourishing, green walls offer such benefits as attracting birds and bees, organic vegetation and air purification. Mix and match various plants for a more natural look.
Put Baby in the Corner
Putting effort into your garden has the sole purpose of being able to enjoy it. So, you must make it your own and carve out a piece for yourself. Picking a spot such as in the corner is an excellent way to create a relaxing oasis, out of the Sun and away from the noise.
Creating a quiet location can be as simple as placing a table and a chair under a tree canopy, or landscaping a dedicated area with decking, edging and water features. Whatever you choose to do, make sure you make it something special for yourself, so you can escape when needed.
Summary
The nature of soil and plants means you can use almost anything in the garden. For example, tin cans, old kettles and drums make excellent plant pots, and tyres can weather the storms for growing perennial herbs. However, you must be aware of wildlife, knowing your soil and controlling pests. But you must also remember to make an oasis for yourself.
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