With the British summertime just around the corner and the weather starting to improve, now is the perfect time to head out into your garden and prepare for the months to come. Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or a newcomer, there are plenty of DIY projects to transform your space and embrace the long summer days.
This article will highlight four exciting and achievable projects to tackle this summer.
Vertical Gardening
Having a smaller garden or a balcony doesn’t have to limit your green ambitions. Vertical gardening allows you to maximise space by utilising walls and fences. This trendy technique offers a vibrant display while keeping walkways clear.
There are several ways to create a vertical garden. From ready-made pocket planters that you can attach to fences or walls that are ideal for growing herbs to wooden vertical planters suitable for larger plants – the possibilities are endless.
If you are keen to try your hand at making your own, you could opt to upcycle old wooden pallets into a planter that you could fix to a wall. Use a battery chainsaw to safely cut the wooden pallets into the right shapes and sizes, and remember to always wear protective safety gear such as goggles and gloves.
Butterfly Garden
Butterflies are not only beautiful to look at, but they also play a vital role in pollinating plants. Creating a butterfly garden is a rewarding project that benefits both you and the environment.
Choose a variety of flowering plants throughout the season to ensure a continuous food source for butterflies, such as butterfly bush, milkweed and coneflowers, along with a host of other plants that will attract caterpillars.
Mosaic Stepping Stones
Add a touch of artistic flair and personality to your garden with homemade mosaic stepping stones. This project is surprisingly easy and allows you to express your creativity.
To create your unique mosaic design, gather a range of colourful materials such as ceramic tiles, glass beads, or broken China and arrange them in a pattern. Use tile adhesive to stick the mosaic pieces onto the stepping stones, and once the adhesive dries, grout the gaps between the pieces and allow everything to cure completely.
Herb Spiral
If you are short of space but are interested in growing your herbs at home, then herb spirals might be a good option for you. Not only will it give you delicious produce, but it will also look visually striking and make a lovely addition to your outdoor space.
To create an herb spiral, build a raised bed in a spiral shape using stones, bricks, or wood. Each level of the spiral should be slightly higher than the last. Next, choose a variety of herbs with different sun and water needs. Plant sun-loving herbs like thyme and oregano at the top of the spiral and shade-preferring herbs like mint at the bottom.