Home-Dzine - Garden crafts and DIY projects

Garden DIY & Craft Projects

Garden DIY & Craft projects

	Tips for autumn gardens Whether it's the result of climate change or not, this past summer has been a challenge for any gardener. With the heat and heavy rains, most of our landscapes look overgrown and tired.
	Build raised garden beds If it’s almost impossible to grow plants in your soil (heavy clay, poor drainage, rocky), a raised garden bed is the perfect solution. It lets you bring in good soil and create the ideal garden bed. It also lets you garden without bending over as far or working on your hands and knees.
	Make a hypertufa table Hypertufa combines peat moss and concrete that can be moulded into moderately porous planters. Note that the mixing and moulding process shown below is on a smaller scale to show the details. It’s also a good practice project to try before moving on to the larger table
	Concrete leaves as ornaments or feature For those of you who attended the 2012 Homemakers Expo, I promised to share the project that Tanya Visser did at the show, where she made beautiful huge leaf features of concrete.
	Erase grease and grime from a concrete driveway You can erase years of grease and grime in a single day with a high-pressure washer.
	Suburban herb garden If you live in a townhouse, flat or apartment and don't have access to a garden, here's a way to recycle empty tins into colourful containers for herbs and plants.
	Grab some 'me' time in a hammock Kids are back at school, hubby is back at work, and you've spent the holidays running around after the whole family (and possibly relatives too!). Now it's time to grab some 'me' time before you get stuck into the new year.
	Relax in a deckchair While catching some rays during the holidays this year I thought back to how comfortable sitting in a deckchair was. The fabric fitted your rear end perfectly and it was easy to fall asleep. With that in mind, for all you folks who remember the comfort of a deckchair, here's how to build one...!
	Kids fun water shower This project is a must build for summer, especially if you don't have a swimming pool. A trip down to your local hardware store for a few supplies and some basic tools are all that you need to create this summer spray.
	How to build a garden fence If you've got nosey neighbours, putting up a fence it just one way to give yourself more privacy.
	Cute concrete garden mushroons Sprout some style in the garden by making these unique mushroom-inspired artworks. Historically, staddle stones were used as architectural supports to keep grain barns elevated and their contents safe from moisture and rodents. Today, you’re more likely to see them adding wonder to a water garden, flair to a flowerbed, or grandeur to a garden path.
	Recycled glass jar candle lights Recycle empty glass jars and add pizzazz to a summer patio with hanging candle lights. Suspended from hooks or branches, these easy, solar-powered candle lights will add sparkle to the garden by day and illuminate a pathway by night.
	Make a garden obelisk Typically constructed of wood lattice, a garden obelisk is basically a free-standing trellis. When situated near climbing plants such as a black-eyed Susan or sweet pea, the obelisk showcases the vine and acts as a striking focal point.
	Restore steel or timber garden furniture Vintage patio furniture has a rustic charm that modern furniture simply cannot compare to. It's a look that says I'm old and loved. Don't toss out that old metal patio set simply because it's covering in flaking paint and rust.
	Restore outdoor furniture with Rust-Oleum Giving your garden furniture a makeover is as easy as 1... 2... 3.... Buy a can or two of Rust-Oleum spray paint, prepare your furniture for painting and then spray on glorious, new colour. It's as easy as that.
	Build a freestanding pergola Whether you build a small arbor, or a larger pergola, this is a garden structure that will increase your enjoyment of the garden and add value to your property.
	Makeover a garden table with a new top At around R250 for a full sheet of 18mm plywood, it's easy to give your outdoor table a brand-new shape and size with plywood.
	Restore or revamp wicker furniture You can easily revamp or restore indoor and outdoor wicker furniture in a couple of hours and we show you how.
	Give my braai a makeover The average South African braai has to be ready for anything - at any time! Because we love a good braai, in winter or summer. Grab a can of Rust-Oleum High Heat spray and give your braai a makeover.
	Build a garden rocker Get ready for lazy summer days in the garden, or by the pool, with this lazy garden rocker and stool.
	Recycled table for garden This gorgeous table is made from nothing more than old timber pallets that have been stripped apart and then sanded. The idea is to leave the reclaimed timber in its natural state rather than finish off with anything. I do think it just adds to the whole look.
	Recycled cans make garden tags Most tags are pretty useless for long-term. I've spent a little time experimenting with other options and have come up with an inexpensive and easy to make tag for the garden. Its design also adds movement to the garden as the wind catches it.
	Makeover a rusted garden table and chairs So as I was touring the garden the other day, I realized there’s definitely some sprucing that needs to happen. I was reminded of the bistro set I found a couple of years ago and that I had every intention of refinishing, but I just never got around to it.
	Make a copper pipe garden chime If, like me, you find a wind chime therapeutic here is a way to make your own copper wind chime that’s in tune with your senses and your budget.
	Give garden furniture a makeover Patio furniture looking dull and dated? Think twice before you toss them out... It's easy to transform them and make them look better than new. All you need is a little imagination and a few cans of Rust-Oleum 2X spray paint.
	Quick and easy greenhouse You can easily build this sturdy, little greenhouse in a day with basic tools and a few supplies from your local Builders Warehouse.
	Build a tree ring In addition to being an attractive design element, a border encircling a tree is practical in many ways. It protects the tree trunk from contact with lawn mowers, and it corrals mulch from spreading to the lawn. Plus it adds a decorative element to a garden.
	How to build a garden fence If you just want a fence to keep out the neighbour's dog, there are plenty of off-the-shelf choices at your local home centre. If, on the other hand, the idea of defining your personal landscape with a touch of architectural flair grabs your imagination, you've come to the right place.
	Stop dogs from digging in beds Some dogs love to dig. And, of course, one hole just isn’t enough. I read somewhere that chicken wire laid over the ground would solve the problem, and sure enough, dogs hate getting their nails caught in the mesh. But if you want the wire to stay put, you have to take time to carefully bury all the edges and put in plenty of stakes.
	Make a garden day bed Build an outdoor daybed for lazy days enjoying the freshness of spring in the air. Our daybed is perfect for a shady spot in the garden, or on the patio or deck.
	Make a garden compost bin If you love to garden, nothing feeds your plants better than compost. In this project the gaps between the wood slats let air circulate around the pile to keep odours at bay and ensure that wastes are breaking down; removable slats, front panels, or doors make it easy to turn the pile and remove compost when it’s ready to spread.
	Make a garden spiral I first spotted a spiral wind-spinner in a friend's garden and I was captivated by it. When the breeze turned the spiral, it had a magical hypnotic type of effect. The ball gave an illusion of moving up and down the spiral tail.
	Table for garden umbrella Here's the perfect project for anyone who enjoys a cool drink under a shade umbrella on a hot summer day. The 600 x 600mm table will accommodate an umbrella and stand, have enough surface space for drinks and snacks, and looks great.
	Garden cubby with tray for plants Useful garden storage box that serves double duty with a planting tray on the top. It's perfect for displaying colourful annuals or a collection of herbs. Behind the door you could store garden accessories or even a hose pipe.
	Decorate flower pots I love terra-cotta, but I think too much of it can be monotonous. To vary the look of these I sometimes age them by spraying them with a yoghurt solution to stimulate moss growth (a time-consuming affair), or if I want instant gratification I paint them.
	Mosaic bird bath This project is fun to do, keeps the three of us relatively out of trouble, and requires only simple, inexpensive household items.
	Recycled tin cans for potted plant display Recycle old paint or coffee tins into attractive plant holders that can be hung in the garden to decorate a plain wall.
	Make a 4-poster garden daybed During the winter month's you don't have to hibernate. Get out the tools and make this daybed for relaxation in the summer months.
	Mosaic projects for the garden Turn bits and pieces of broken china and tile into unique garden ornaments with these easy mosaic projects.
	Make a bamboo trellis What I found on a recent shopping trip was either overpriced, lacking in character, or made with flimsy materials. That’s what motivated me to make my own trellises out of bamboo. Bamboo is a wonderfully versatile building material. It’s lightweight, strong, and flexible, and it looks at home in most gardening schemes.
	Garden planter bench [PDF] The hardest part of building a wood bench is ensuring that its legs are sturdy. So to make it easy to build this 3m long bench, we designed a bench top that rests on a pair of oversize ceramic pots. Add plants or trees to enrich the look; we used New Zealand flax.
	Faux stone patio Concrete is a sturdy and durable floor for a patio, but it’s certainly not charming. Learn how to transform your concrete slab into a faux-stone living space.
	DIY timber garden hammock Rock-solid posts and overhead shading make this hammock the perfect retreat on hot summer days. All you need to do is to add the hammock.
	An old lapa restored The Colourful Corner Nursery in Randpark Ridge has a lapa, deck and pond quietly tucked away in the corner. Over the years the wooden windows and doors, as well as the deck have been left uncared for and the DIY Divas decided that this was the perfect project to show you just how easy it is to restore outdoor timber - in a weekend!

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Garden DIY & Craft projects

Whether it's the result of climate change or not, this past summer has been a challenge for any gardener. With the heat and heavy rains, most of our landscapes look overgrown and tired.

If it’s almost impossible to grow plants in your soil (heavy clay, poor drainage, rocky), a raised garden bed is the perfect solution. It lets you bring in good soil and create the ideal garden bed. It also lets you garden without bending over as far or working on your hands and knees.

Hypertufa combines peat moss and concrete that can be moulded into moderately porous planters. Note that the mixing and moulding process shown below is on a smaller scale to show the details. It’s also a good practice project to try before moving on to the larger table

For those of you who attended the 2012 Homemakers Expo, I promised to share the project that Tanya Visser did at the show, where she made beautiful huge leaf features of concrete.

You can erase years of grease and grime in a single day with a high-pressure washer.

If you live in a townhouse, flat or apartment and don't have access to a garden, here's a way to recycle empty tins into colourful containers for herbs and plants.

Kids are back at school, hubby is back at work, and you've spent the holidays running around after the whole family (and possibly relatives too!). Now it's time to grab some 'me' time before you get stuck into the new year.

While catching some rays during the holidays this year I thought back to how comfortable sitting in a deckchair was. The fabric fitted your rear end perfectly and it was easy to fall asleep. With that in mind, for all you folks who remember the comfort of a deckchair, here's how to build one...!

This project is a must build for summer, especially if you don't have a swimming pool. A trip down to your local hardware store for a few supplies and some basic tools are all that you need to create this summer spray.

If you've got nosey neighbours, putting up a fence it just one way to give yourself more privacy.

Recycle empty glass jars and add pizzazz to a summer patio with hanging candle lights. Suspended from hooks or branches, these easy, solar-powered candle lights will add sparkle to the garden by day and illuminate a pathway by night.

Typically constructed of wood lattice, a garden obelisk is basically a free-standing trellis. When situated near climbing plants such as a black-eyed Susan or sweet pea, the obelisk showcases the vine and acts as a striking focal point.

Vintage patio furniture has a rustic charm that modern furniture simply cannot compare to. It's a look that says I'm old and loved. Don't toss out that old metal patio set simply because it's covering in flaking paint and rust.

Giving your garden furniture a makeover is as easy as 1... 2... 3.... Buy a can or two of Rust-Oleum spray paint, prepare your furniture for painting and then spray on glorious, new colour. It's as easy as that.

Whether you build a small arbor, or a larger pergola, this is a garden structure that will increase your enjoyment of the garden and add value to your property.

At around R250 for a full sheet of 18mm plywood, it's easy to give your outdoor table a brand-new shape and size with plywood.

You can easily revamp or restore indoor and outdoor wicker furniture in a couple of hours and we show you how.

The average South African braai has to be ready for anything - at any time! Because we love a good braai, in winter or summer. Grab a can of Rust-Oleum High Heat spray and give your braai a makeover.

Get ready for lazy summer days in the garden, or by the pool, with this lazy garden rocker and stool.

This gorgeous table is made from nothing more than old timber pallets that have been stripped apart and then sanded. The idea is to leave the reclaimed timber in its natural state rather than finish off with anything. I do think it just adds to the whole look.

Most tags are pretty useless for long-term. I've spent a little time experimenting with other options and have come up with an inexpensive and easy to make tag for the garden. Its design also adds movement to the garden as the wind catches it.

So as I was touring the garden the other day, I realized there’s definitely some sprucing that needs to happen. I was reminded of the bistro set I found a couple of years ago and that I had every intention of refinishing, but I just never got around to it.

If, like me, you find a wind chime therapeutic here is a way to make your own copper wind chime that’s in tune with your senses and your budget.

Patio furniture looking dull and dated? Think twice before you toss them out... It's easy to transform them and make them look better than new. All you need is a little imagination and a few cans of Rust-Oleum 2X spray paint.

You can easily build this sturdy, little greenhouse in a day with basic tools and a few supplies from your local Builders Warehouse.

In addition to being an attractive design element, a border encircling a tree is practical in many ways. It protects the tree trunk from contact with lawn mowers, and it corrals mulch from spreading to the lawn. Plus it adds a decorative element to a garden.

If you just want a fence to keep out the neighbour's dog, there are plenty of off-the-shelf choices at your local home centre. If, on the other hand, the idea of defining your personal landscape with a touch of architectural flair grabs your imagination, you've come to the right place.

Build an outdoor daybed for lazy days enjoying the freshness of spring in the air. Our daybed is perfect for a shady spot in the garden, or on the patio or deck.

I first spotted a spiral wind-spinner in a friend's garden and I was captivated by it. When the breeze turned the spiral, it had a magical hypnotic type of effect. The ball gave an illusion of moving up and down the spiral tail.

Here's the perfect project for anyone who enjoys a cool drink under a shade umbrella on a hot summer day. The 600 x 600mm table will accommodate an umbrella and stand, have enough surface space for drinks and snacks, and looks great.

Useful garden storage box that serves double duty with a planting tray on the top. It's perfect for displaying colourful annuals or a collection of herbs. Behind the door you could store garden accessories or even a hose pipe.

I love terra-cotta, but I think too much of it can be monotonous. To vary the look of these I sometimes age them by spraying them with a yoghurt solution to stimulate moss growth (a time-consuming affair), or if I want instant gratification I paint them.

This project is fun to do, keeps the three of us relatively out of trouble, and requires only simple, inexpensive household items.

Recycle old paint or coffee tins into attractive plant holders that can be hung in the garden to decorate a plain wall.

During the winter month's you don't have to hibernate. Get out the tools and make this daybed for relaxation in the summer months.

Turn bits and pieces of broken china and tile into unique garden ornaments with these easy mosaic projects.

Garden planter bench [PDF]

The hardest part of building a wood bench is ensuring that its legs are sturdy. So to make it easy to build this 3m long bench, we designed a bench top that rests on a pair of oversize ceramic pots. Add plants or trees to enrich the look; we used New Zealand flax.

Concrete is a sturdy and durable floor for a patio, but it’s certainly not charming. Learn how to transform your concrete slab into a faux-stone living space.

Rock-solid posts and overhead shading make this hammock the perfect retreat on hot summer days. All you need to do is to add the hammock.

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