12 Do it Yourself Ideas that will Save You Money
With the coronavirus and so much time on our hands because of the lockdown, we can invest a part of that time in doing something that will pay off in big ways by working in our gardens with these ideas that will not only bring that much-needed change but will save you a few dollars as well.
Becoming more active outdoors is a great way to connect with nature while exercising your brainpower as well as keeping your heart rate up with this physical activity.
Below, however, we will be looking at 12 ways to DIY or do it yourself with these garden designs that are so amazing.
12 Do it Yourself Landscape designs
- Creating a walking pathway with stepping stones
- River rocks vs Gravels
- Mulching
- Installing light fixtures
- Creating a flower bed
- Including shrubs and other plants
- Including a line of separation
- Installing garden furniture
- An all-natural look without the help of nature
- Garden lawn and added bonus
- Water and fertilizing for growth
- Disease and garden insect pests management
Creating beauty only takes a little imagination
You may have an existing garden that may need a makeover or you may be thinking of installing a garden that will be your prize trophy well these 12 DIY ideas will put you on the right track to accomplishing your goals while $aving. These 12 ideas which are given in no special order will help to guide you to success.
1. Creating a walking pathway with stepping stones
What you will need
- Stepping stones
- Landscape edging
- Sand
- A piece of wood
- Shovel or rake
- Pickaxe
A walk or pathway can add interest while protecting your garden plants, a walking pathway can also be installed to create a line of separation. To create a stepping stone walking pathway measure the length and width of the area that would be width x length = the total area that’s to be used for this purpose.
Clear away any debris, grass, plants, etc… Grade or level the area, once this is accomplished install your edging, the edging, or lining should be of the same length for both sides. The edging can be installed by digging a narrow trench with the pickaxe followed by installing the flat edge in the trench leaving the top out of the ground.
You may need help as you backfill the soil in the trench, the edging must remain straight. Lay your stepping stone in place, with a can of garden spray paint, mark the area of the stepping stone by going around it.
Remove the stepping stone and with a square or flat mouth shovel being very careful to remove the soil from the marked out area. Remove enough of the soil so that about an inch to an inch and a half of the stepping stone can fit comfortably in the marked space.
Add sand to this area once the soil is removed this will help in creating a solid base for your stepping stones. Once the sand is down level it with the flat side of the piece of wood.
If you don’t have a tamper you can use your feet and gently press down on the sand which will cause the sand to be compacted so once your stepping stone is in place it will not move or shift.
As you lay the second stone measure, so you can have the same equal distance with the rest of your stepping stones. Do this until the entire process is completed. Next spread pea gravel in between and around the stepping stones and you are good to go.
2. River rocks vs Gravels
River rocks or gravel can also be used if stepping stones are not your choice. Follow the same pattern as with installing stepping stones only this time using black landscape fabric, once the fabric is down add your river rocks or gravel and level with the back of a hard rake. This landscape fabric will help to suppress unwanted weeds. You can also exclude the sand or removing soil just grade the area and place your landscape fabric followed by river rocks or gravel.
3. Mulching
They are many types of mulch from red, brown, cypress, etc.. mulches are organics. These organic materials are used for beautification, to suppress weeds, help to retain moisture, protects or insulates plant roots during the winter months, and also adds nutrients to the soil as it breaks down. Mulches can be used around the trunks of trees and in plant beds. There are also synthetic or man-made mulches that can be used.
4. Installing light fixtures
Installing light fixtures in your garden is a great way to extend the evening on the outdoors by illuminating this area. Garden lights at night look so amazing as you enjoy your evenings outdoors. There are many styles of garden lights including those you stick in the ground and you are all done.
5. Creating a flower bed
Installing a flower bed is a great way to introduce more color or color for that matter. The soil of your flower plants should have good drainage, when installing flowers the taller plants should be at the back with the less tall ones in the middle followed by the shorter ones in front. Each plant type should complement the other. There should be a flow of beauty creating a work of art.
6. Including shrubs and other plants
The installation of shrubs and ornamental plants will hight light your existing garden. Adding a few shrubs will create a line and ornamentals will help in bringing character to a well-planned design. Shrubs and ornamental plants are a shelter for many wildlife including beneficial insects that are an added benefit to our gardens.
7. Including a line of separation
These are lines that create interest for aesthetics, for example, if you are planning on growing a flower bed then why not use black edging to separate the flower bed from a section that has grass growing because this black edging will also stop the grass from growing into the flower bed.
8. Installing garden furniture
What I find to be so amazing is that installing garden furniture can make a big difference. Garden furniture placed throughout your garden will take it up a notch so consider adding a few pieces of furniture to this area to bring a pleasing transformation.
9. An all-natural look without the help of nature
What I mean by an all-natural look is by adding several large rocks or a branch that’s large a log. Anything that is found in nature adds to your garden for a natural look. The goal is to transform your garden as if it was all done by nature without any human involvement.
10. Garden lawn and added bonus
Installing a lawn can really spice it up with its texture, green, and lushness, the positive change a lawn can bring into a garden setting is really amazing. Installing and maintaining a lawn may require a bit more but it’s worth the investment. For more on lawns and their care refer to the category section.
11. Water and fertilizing for growth
Garden plants including lawns are living things and need our help to thrive therefore we should seek to know all that we can about how to properly maintain them water and fertilizers being very important for their survival. Get to know the water and fertilizing needs of your plants and give them that so they can continue to perform their best.
12. Disease and garden insect pests management
Many homeowners are faced with the frustrating challenges of plant disease as well as garden insect pests and while the scope of this topic is too vast to cover in this section having some knowledge will help. Diseases are often encouraged by overwatering, using infected tools on healthy plants, installing garden plants to close which contributes to poor air circulation, poor drainage because of poor soil quality, etc… For more on disease control refer to the category section.
While it’s impossible to totally rid our gardens of insect pests, with the right know how we can bring them under control keeping the population at a level where they won’t be destructive to our gardens. Identifying them along with the right control methods will bring success. For more on garden insect pests refer to the category section.
You may be wondering why I included 11 and 12 in this post well in order to maintain and see our designs grow and thrive we must ensure that sections 11 and 12 are taken care of which I think is smart gardening.
The final word on doing it yourself landscape design
You can DIY your garden by following these simple steps that will bring a great change. It’s amazing how thinking outside the box along with a little effort can bring as we take to the great outdoors working in our gardens giving us such pleasing results we can be proud of because we know the time and effort that was involved to reach this level. So consider these ideas and go for it you will be so happy that you did as you DIY your garden and landscape area.
About the author
Norman loves being in the garden, both at home and for his job....
he is 'Natures Little helper' being outdoors, growing his vegetables and flowers from an early age.
Now having spent over 22 years in the profession he want to give some of his knowledge to others...
his vast array of hints and tips you will find scattered over this site will help you no end growing plants in your garden.
Hi,
thanks for sharing this guide. I could have done with this when the lockdown first started… We have done some bits in the garden, but could have done with a better plan in mind before we got started.
You are right about the last few points, you need to keep on top of your garden if you want to enjoy it for the long term. They are jobs nobody wants to do, but you have to do them.
thanks for sharing
Hello so good to meet you, constructing a garden is so amazing and it has so many benefits. Yes, we can have a garden that is growing healthy as long as we give our plants what they need. So happy to help. All the best to you. Have a good day.
This article is timely for me. My mom used to spend a lot of time working in her garden but I never took an interest. Recently, during the lockdown, I found myself taking an interest in my yard space and was wondering what I could do to enhance my space. I am glad for suggestions from an expert because I am getting ideas I never even though of. I have actually bought some vegetable seeds and I am grooming some broccoli and pandemic peppers and tomatoes for a start. I am hoping to get some shrubs and some flowering plants. With this information I can do some more detailed planning with layout and content in mind. Thank you. I am book marking this page.
Hello and thanks so much for your kind words I am so happy to help. It is so great to see that you are taking advantage of this time by working in the great outdoors. Wishing you all the best with your garden project. Have a good day.