Garden DIY projects

BBC Gardeners' World Magazine

Published: Friday, 17 April 2020 at 10:31 am

Need a project to get stuck into? Transform your garden so that you want to stay at home, with our DIY guides.

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Coranavirus lockdown provides us with an opportunity to get on with home and garden improvements that we might have been putting off, or simply not had time for. Plans to travel and meet up with family may be on hold, but rather than focussing on the restrictions the Coronavirus has placed on our lives, let’s celebrate the things we still can do.

For those of us lucky enough to have a garden, or outside space, we’re spending more time in it than ever – whether we’re self-isolating or in lockdown. And so, it makes sense to make your garden somewhere that you want to spend time. Whether you’re dreaming of new decking, raised beds or a new lawn, you’ll find advice on how to make it happen. So roll your sleeves up, and get stuck in this weekend.

Lay a new lawn

A lawn surrounded by flowerbeds

A lawn is a great place to relax or for kids to play. If you don’t have a lawn, now is the ideal time to lay a new lawn from turf or grow a new lawn from seed. Growing a lawn from seed is cheaper, but you’ll get quicker results if you can lay turf. And if your existing lawn is looking a little bare, it’s easy to repair lawn patches now.

Lay a patio

A patio with pots and garden furniture

Lay a new patio now and you’ll reap the benefits over the coming weeks and months, when you have a lovely outdoor space to relax in. You might have planned to hire builders or landscapers to do the job for you, but with a little DIY know-how you can build your own – whether you lay paving slabs or opt for bricks or other stones. If laying a new patio is too daunting, there are some simple ways to spruce up an existing patio. Giving a patio a good clean with a pressure washer, can make it look almost as good as new, and just tackling weeds will make it look smarter.

How to lay a patio
Guide to choosing the best pressure washer
How to weed a path

Make a planter

A wooden planter packed with flowers

If you haven’t been able to buy pots and planters, why not make your own? A wooden planter is perfect for growing everything from shrubs and bedding to vegetables. You can make it fit the space you have, so you get the maximum growing area with no wasted space.

How to make a wooden planter

Make a compost bin

Adding garden waste to a compost bin

If your council garden waste collections have been cancelled, making your own compost at home will help you recycle your garden waste. You can buy compost bins online, but it’s simple to make your own compost heap and you can make it fit the space you have available.

How to build a compost bin

Lay decking

Decking with colourful garden furniture

Having space to relax outside is more important than ever, so why not make a new decked seating area. Decking is straightforward to lay yourself, and you can use it to create paths, and areas for sitting, relaxing or exercising outdoors. If you already have decking that's looking a little forlorn, use the Easter weekend to give it a good clean and you'll be amazed at the difference it can make.

How to lay decking
What's the best way to clean decking

Make a raised bed

A wooden raised vegetable bed

If you’re planning to have a go at growing vegetables for the first time, a raised vegetable bed will help you give your plants the conditions they need. Raised beds are ideal for growing a host of fruit and vegetables, as well as other garden plants. You can use them to improve the soil and to improve drainage, it’s easier to focus your time and attention when you have a defined growing space – plus they look attractive. You can make a simple raised bed using wooden boards, or use concrete blocks to create a more permanent design feature.

How to make a raised vegetable bed
How to build a concrete raised bed

Make a pond

A wildlife-friendly pond

We may not be able to venture far, but wildlife can still come to us. A pond can attract a host of different creatures to your garden, including frogs, toads and newts, hedgehogs, birds and aquatic insects. Children will be fascinated by the life buzzing in and around the pond. And sitting with a glass of something cold in your hand, watching the sun glint off the water of your pond, is sure to make you feel like you’re on holiday, even if you can’t travel.

How to make a wildlife pond
How to build a pond
Three ways to improve your pond

Make a garden bench

A storage bench for the garden

To find out how to make a storage bench for your garden, and to unlock other content in the Secret Garden area of the website, and get the magazine delivered to your door, subscribe to Gardeners’ World.

More garden DIY jobs

How to lay a path
How to build a barbecue
How to build a greenhouse
How to make a coldframe
How to make a wall planter

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