You've got a garden now. or at least you want to have one. The problem is that most gardens seem to take forever to get going, especially if you already have a big yard or a backyard.
This post offers 20+ ideas for starting a successful garden project from scratch, whether you're thinking about creating a new garden space or simply adding some green to your lawn. So dig into learning about the coolest ideas.
Here are 20+ gardening projects to inspire you:
1. Create a potting bench
Start off with an empty flowerpot and create a potting table by covering the bottom with newspaper. Use paint cans or other containers to store soil mix and fertilizer. Add a bench seat and two shelves using pallets.
2. Turn a plastic milk jug into a planter
Cut two holes in the top of the jug and use it as a planter. Fill it with soil and plant flowers or herbs inside. You could also fill the jug with rocks to make it look like a piece of driftwood.
3. Make your own raised bed
Dig up your existing grassy area and place bricks around its perimeter. Then, lay down straw over the bricks and cover them with dirt. Plant vegetables or flowers in this type of bed that will survive heat and drought.
4. Build a fence
Use wooden boards and metal posts to build a fence to keep pets and children safe. Or make a picket fence with wood strips and nails.
5. Grow a herb garden
Place pots filled with herbs on your porch, patio, or deck so you'll always have fresh herbs handy when cooking meals. Try basil, rosemary, thyme, oregano, and lavender.
6. Transform a bird feeder
Purchase a wooden birdfeeder and then paint it white or another bright color. Hang it outside so birds can perch on it while they eat.
7. Garden in a shoe box
If you live in a cold climate, try planting spring bulbs in a shoe box before placing them in their permanent home. For example, buy a set of 4 tulip bulbs and four sets of 6 daffodil bulbs. Put the boxes together, fill them with soil, and then put them in a sunny location.
8. Grow salad greens indoors
Start a salad garden in a large container such as a window sill, kitchen sink, or bathtub. Mix lettuce seed with compost or peat moss and sprinkle it throughout the pot. Water regularly, and once the seedlings sprout, transplant them into individual cups or plates.
9. Grow succulents
Succulents are easy-to-grow houseplants that thrive in warm weather climates. Choose varieties that do well in high-humidity areas, such as cacti and aloe vera.
To grow these types of plants, first, soak them in a bucket of water overnight. Next, drain the excess water and replace the soil with a mixture of equal parts of sand and potting soil. Keep the plants watered until they root themselves.
10. Plant a hanging basket
Choose a sturdy wire basket that's deep enough to hold several layers of soil. Then, wrap the sides with twine and secure it to a hook screwed into the wall. Now, fill the basket with soil and plant annuals or perennials such as begonias, impatiens, geraniums, marigolds, nasturtiums, or petunias.
11. Grow tomatoes
Tomatoes need lots of sun, rich soil, and regular watering for optimal growth. Soak a few small tomato seeds in water for about three days prior to planting.
Afterward, plant them in a cool, dark spot where temperatures stay below 75 degrees Fahrenheit. When the seedlings begin to sprout, thin them out, so only one or two remain in each pot.
12. Grow vegetables in a pot
Choose an old pot that has drainage holes, so it doesn't leak. Fill the pot with potting soil, add some fertilizer and place your chosen vegetable seedling in the center.
Cover the soil with more soil, ensuring there is at least 1 inch between the top layer of soil and the pot's rim. This prevents soil from drying out and wilting.
13. Create a vertical garden
Attach hooks to a ceiling or wall, depending on the size of your space. Then hang baskets filled with climbing vines --such as morning glory, wisteria, and jasmine--from the hooks. These types of plants will allow you to enjoy flowers year-round.
14. Make an insect hotel
To create this project, simply cut empty toilet paper rolls apart, corral them inside a plastic trash bag, and seal the openings. Once complete, tape the bottom of the bags to a tray filled with beer, food scraps, or other moist ingredients. The insects will be drawn to the smell and land inside the hotel.
15. Start a butterfly garden
Purchase milkweed plants and start growing them in pots. Butterflies love milkweed because it provides them with nectar when they're hungry. If you live in an area where butterflies aren't native, consider purchasing tropical milkweed instead. It's similar to native milkweed but looks different.
16. Start a hummingbird feeder
Fill a tall glass jar half full of sugar water. Add a bit of fresh fruit juice, preferably grapefruit. Hang the jar outside so birds can easily reach the feeder. Hummingbirds like sweet nectar.
17. Plant an herb garden
Herbs are easy to grow, inexpensive to purchase, and require little maintenance. You'll find many types of herbs that can be used in cooking, medicine, beauty products, and even cleaning supplies. Some popular choices include basil, chives, mint, oregano, rosemary, thyme, and dill.
18. Set up a birdbath
Bird baths provide both water and shelter for feathered friends. To construct one:
- Drill four holes around the edge of a concrete slab and insert threaded rods into these holes.
- Attach a suction cup to the end of each rod, then attach a hose to the cups using zip ties.
- Connect a spigot to the hoses and turn the faucet on.
19. Start a berry patch
Berries are low-maintenance crops that don't take much time or effort to grow. Purchase several berries and plant them in groups in a sunny location. As the seasons change, harvest what you want and eat.
20. Build a bee house
A simple bee house consists of a shallow box made of wood or metal. Drill a hole near the ground and run a piece of wire down through the hole. Then, put a wasp nest inside the box and fill it with pollen and honey. Bees will use the nest for food throughout the summer.
21. Grow herbs indoors
Due to harsh weather conditions, many people have trouble gardening during the winter months. Instead of spending money on outdoor lights and heating systems, try growing herbs inside your home.
They won't need any light, and they don't need much heat either. Just make sure you give them enough moisture to survive.
22. Grow greens indoors
You may not be able to grow vegetables outdoors all year long. Luckily, indoor gardens are easier to maintain than their outdoor counterparts. Try starting some seeds now and then transplanting them when spring arrives.
This is also a good way to get kids involved in gardening without having to invest lots of money upfront.
23. Plant sunflowers
Sunflower seeds are loaded with vitamin D and protein. Simply plant them in a sunny spot and let nature do its thing. Your flowers should begin blooming by early fall. You can also buy hybrid sunflower seeds specifically bred to grow fast.
24. Grow a vegetable garden
Vegetable gardens allow you to save money while providing you with healthy produce. Growing tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, eggplant, and other veggies requires very little space and doesn't involve expensive tools such as tractors.
25. Make a planter
Plants and flowers look great when placed on top of a bookshelf or dresser. Use leftover scrap lumber from projects to build a planter outfitted with drainage holes. Add soil and plants, then hang the planter where you'd like to see it.
Frequently asked questions
1. What is Front Yard?
The front yard is the first thing people see when they approach your house.
2. How do you design a landscape based on the 7 principles?
As they relate to line, form, texture, and color, landscape design principles include unity, scale, balance, simplicity, variety, emphasis, and sequence.
3. How do I convert my backyard to a budget?
Stay away from expensive items when refreshing your backyard on a budget. Consider building a table and grill instead of a custom outdoor kitchen.
Alternatively, make planters, build patio furniture, get outdoor pillows and rugs, or add some lighting as small (but still effective) projects.
4. What is the best layout for a garden?
Garden plans with north-to-south orientation consist of straight, long rows. The best sun exposure and air circulation will be achieved by orienting the garden north-south. Crops growing in the preceding row tend to shade a garden that runs east to west.
5. What type of garden is easiest to maintain?
The best low-maintenance plants for your garden are shrubs. Consider planting shrubs and hedges instead of flower beds that require a lot of maintenance. You can add texture and interest to your garden without spending a lot of time on them.
Conclusion
You don't need a lot of money to make your home beautiful. You just need to be a little creative and innovative with ideas. I hope this article has given you enough ideas to help you out. So don't be lazy now. Try one of the ideas.
