Create easy and fun DIY projects in your garden. ATTRIBUTION: Martin Stone (Flickr)
Create an outdoor space that is creative, handcrafted, and full of life. Your garden is an excellent space to create new and interesting projects, such as a whimsical swing or a vertical flower bed. Do-it-yourself projects in your garden don’t have to be expensive or difficult. Check out these easy backyard DIY projects for inspiration.
Pallet Walkway
Create a wooden walkway from old pallet boards. ATTRIBUTION: Chris Downer (Wikimedia Commons)
Do you have old wooden pallets lying around? Reclaimed pallet boards can be used to create a walkway to your garden, through a flower bed, or installed in areas that are prone to mud and muck. The boards should be raised just high enough to encourage water runoff but low enough to avoid tripping.
To create your own pallet walkways, simply remove the pallet boards from the frame and pull out any nails. Put down the boards in the desired location, and pat down topsoil around each board to hold them in place. The wood can be slippery when wet. To add some traction to the boards, add some sand to a sealer and apply it to the boards.
Tree Swing
Construct a swing in your own backyard to enjoy and share with local children. ATTRIBUTION: Loren Kerns (Flickr)
Bring back some childhood nostalgia by creating and hanging an old-fashioned tree swing in your garden. Choose a one-inch or thicker rope to hang from a solid tree limb, wrapping it around twice for extra security. Thread the rope through four holes (two on each end) in the swing, and secure knots at the bottom of each hole.
Chandelier Bird Feeder
Attract birds to your garden with an outside chandelier. ATTRIBUTION: Kolin Toney (Flickr)
Attract beautiful birds to your garden by transforming an old chandelier into an elegant bird feeder. Simply clean the bird feeder with warm water and soap to remove any dirt, dust, and grime. Dry the chandelier and fill the candle cups with bird seed. Hang the chandelier bird feeder by a rope or chain from a tree limb.
Vertical Flower Bed
Shoe organizers can be used to create vertical gardens. ATTRIBUTION: wiccahwang (Flickr)
Vertical flower beds have become highly popular due to their easy construction and alluring appearance. Create your own vertical flower bed by planting your favorite flower varieties between the boards of old pallets or in the pockets of a canvas shoe organizer. Simply add soil to the pockets and water as needed to keep the soil well-hydrated.
Wind Chimes
Use old forks and spoons to create a DIY wind chime. ATTRIBUTION: Jonathan.vail (Flickr)
Incorporate handcrafted wind chimes into your garden to hear a touch of music each time there’s a breeze. There are numerous items you can use around your home to create wind chimes, such as old silverware, seashells, pieces of stained glass, beads, gemstones, and even painted pots and pans. Simply attach your chosen items to fishing line and attach to a strong base.
Bird Bath
Turn an old horn into a place for birds to hang out. ATTRIBUTION: mattwalker69 (Flickr)
Provide a place for birds to perch, drink, and bathe by creating a bird bath station. Bird baths can be made out of various items you have lying around your home or shed. Clay pots, old dishware, porcelain sinks, lamp shades, and even old musical instruments can be filled with fresh water to act as repurposed bird baths.
Rain Barrel
Set up rain barrels in your garden to collect water. ATTRIBUTION: regan76 (Flickr)
Reuse rain water and reduce waste in your garden by creating a simple rain barrel. Start with a plastic drum with a cover or heavy-duty garbage can to hold the rain water. Place the drum near a downspout to allow the water to easily pour into the container. Drill a hole into the side of the drum near the bottom and install a spigot.