Creative inspiration to give your yard a personal touch with DIY Backyard Fence Decor. You’ll love spending time outside in your garden. #Backyard #FenceDecor
Backyard Fence Decor
Personalize Your Fence with a Creative Touch
This past week, we got a NEW FENCE! You have no idea how thrilled we are. I will be putting a post together on the subject very soon, so keep watching the blog. But, with this lovely new fence in our yard, I thought it would be fun to look at ideas for backyard fence decor. So, please, enjoy this roundup of creative and easy DIY fence decoration ideas.
See anything you like? There is a lot of creativity and inspiration with these amazing ideas. I’d love to hear what you think, and please share your ideas for backyard fence decor!
A garden beautifies your home. Get a few key tools to make the most of time and energy, and ensure you have the right tools for the gardening job.
5 of the Most Valuable Home Improvement Investments
Working on the house and getting out in the garden is a great way to get some fresh air with a side of meditation. Plus, you get a sense of satisfaction and accomplishment when a task is completed.
To help you make the most of the time and energy you spend on your home and garden projects, ensure you have the right tools for the job.
You don’t need to get overwhelmed by the hundreds of tools on the market, and you certainly don’t need to break the bank buying them all. Instead, get a few key tools and you’ll make your gardening easier and faster.
Here are five tools to start with:
Work Gloves
There are many types, brands and price points when it comes to work gloves — the key is to get a pair. They won’t last forever and you’ll learn what style and size you like.
They protect your hands from thorns and thistles on plants, blisters from wear and tear, and they shield you from dangerous substances such as fertilizers and other chemicals.
If you injure your hands, you won’t be able to accomplish the tasks you set out to. So make sure to cover up your most useful tools — your hands! Then, you’ll be able to work harder and longer.
Power Drill
No gardener and DIY-er should be without a power drill. These easy-to-use tools help make quick work of building a garden box, fixing a broken fence or hanging a trellis.
It’ll save your arms, wrists and hands from the laborious work of twisting in screws by hand, and can prevent wood from splitting when nails get hammered into place.
There are many options when buying a drill. Don’t be fooled into thinking you need a pink drill — just find a good, reliable, user-friendly one and you’ll be set.
Hand Rake
This small hand tool is great for garden preparation and maintenance. It’s one of many kinds of rakes, but is probably the smallest one you’ll find.
It usually comes with three prongs on it, which you use to break up soil when you prep it for planting or for the winter. It also comes in handy with weeding, as it allows you to loosen and pull unwanted vegetation from around your flowers and veggies.
Air Compressor
This appliance is versatile in its uses around the home and yard. When hooked up to the right attachment, an air compressor can become a pesticide sprayer, nail gun, a power washer, a paint sprayer and a tire pump.
As there are various models and sizes of air compressors, so make sure you rent one first to figure out which one fits your needs and space. While smaller models can be easier to move, larger models can accommodate more tools and have varying levels of power. So, make sure to do your research on its uses before making a final investment.
Shovel
Get a shovel to help with jobs involving lifting and moving different materials, including gravel and dirt.
A shovel is handy when you’re building new landscaping or changing up what you’ve already got in your yard. It’s also helpful when you’re prepping a garden space for planting or getting it ready for winter dormancy.
Before you buy, check out your options and make sure you pick it up and try it out — seriously! You want to make sure the various parts of the shovel are a good fit for you. Ensure the grip is comfortable in your hand and the handle is the right length.
Getting a project done is a heck of a lot easier when you have the right tools for the job. Invest in these five key versatile tools and they’ll help to get you started. Although they aren’t the only tools you can use in your next project, they’ll assist you in making quicker work of your to-do list.
Regular contributor, Megan Wild shares some great tips on how to take back control of your yard , and keep your plants healthy with tips for trimming your shrubs.
Shrubs – 5 Hassle-Free Trimming Tips
Take back control of your yard, and keep your plants healthy.
If you’ve ever gone out to give your shrubs a quick trim, only to find it so hard to keep them even that you end up cutting off way too many branches, you’re probably hesitant to make the same mistake twice. I know how that feels, because that’s how my first trim went. Unfortunately, under-trimming your shrubs can lead to just as many problems as over-trimming them, as you’ll end up with overgrown bushes with lots of deadwood and poor flowering.
Luckily, proper pruning isn’t hard to learn, and you’ll get good results if you take your time. Follow these tips for hassle-free shrub trimming:
Different types of plants flower at different times of the year, and the timing of their life cycles typically determines when you should prune them. Evergreen shrubs can be pruned almost any time of year except the fall, when new growth will be vulnerable to dieback from the winter cold. Flowering shrubs should be cut back at a time when flower buds won’t be removed.
For early bloomers like lilacs, shape them immediately after blooming. Summer bloomers can be cut back in the winter. Hydrangeas are the exception: Shape these in midsummer so you don’t accidentally remove the flower buds.
Start With the Dead Stuff
If you’re nervous about just how much to cut and where to begin, it’s always a good idea to start with the deadwood. Your plant will never miss these, and cutting out broken branches is a good way to prevent disease. Cut below the break to give your plant a clean wound that will easily heal. Your bush won’t miss dead branches, so don’t worry yet about shaping – just get rid of them.
Shape Slowly
Sometimes, removing dead wood is all you need to make your shrubs look like their old selves, so stand back and look at the plant’s shape before making any more cuts. For a quick shape up, cut only the twigs and branches that are sticking out beyond the natural shape of your bush. Resist the urge to make a lot of cuts at once – it’s best to go slow and take a step back to assess so you don’t end up cutting too much at once.
Avoid Right Angles and Odd Shapes
The best pruning allows the plant to grow in a natural way, so unless you’re Edward Scissorhands or work at Disney World, don’t try to form strange shapes with your shrubs. Right angles should be avoided, and this is true even of box hedges. These plants need sunlight for photosynthesis and good health, so make sure bottom branches are slightly wider than the tops so they also receive sunlight. Flat tops are also a bad idea, as the weight of ice and snow will break the branches.
Do a Little Research
Because each plant has its own natural shape and growing habit, there’s no hard and fast rule about trimming shrubs that works for everything. Though you should consider that trimming shrubs helps increase curb appeal, makes your home a more welcoming place for guests, and can even increase your home’s market value. Your best bet is to do a little internet research about your plant to see what experts recommend.
You can also visit a local nursery or get advice from a neighbor with a green thumb if you need help identifying a bush or learning the basics about garden tools and techniques. Pruning is also good for the health of the plant, so give it a try – it doesn’t have to be scary! Once you know all about your plant, go ahead and give it a trim at least once a year to maintain its shape.
Believe it or not, even living in a highly populated area in Southern California, keeping wildlife out of our yard can be difficult. Luke and the squirrels have an on going battle to see who can get the ripened fruits and vegetables from the garden first. When the squirrels win, they like to sit on the fence and eat their ill-gotten gains where Luke can see them. LOL Well, regular contributor, Megan Wild, has some ideas that may help Luke’s dilemma. Check out her great tips on humane ways to keep unwanted animals out of your yard.
Humane Ways to Keep Animals Out of Your Yard
One of the best parts about summer is being able to go out and tend to your yard and garden. However, many stray animals also enjoy using your yard during these warm months, especially if you have lots of tasty plants for them to snack on. It’s pretty aggravating trying to get rid of these animals to keep your yard in good condition, but if you’re an animal lover like me, you also don’t want to harm these animals.
You have plenty of humane and effective choices for getting rid of backyard pests. By using one of these options (or a few), you should be able to decrease the number of stray animals that decide to visit your yard this summer.
Many stray animals wander into your yard because it provides shelter from rain and has a steady food source. Normal places that animals seek for shelter are inside window wells and under porches. Feral cats are especially known for making their homes in these areas. Blocking off these entrances with chicken wire is an affordable option. Just be sure there aren’t any animals hiding before you patch up the holes.
It’s also possible that animals are digging through your garbage cans because they know they can get food from them. Make sure you have lids that can be locked down or tightened to keep animals out of them. By removing the food source, the animals should be less motivated to keep coming.
Use Human Hair
Some animals, such as deer, prefer going through your garden to get food. Perhaps you have a vegetable garden or a flower patch. Either way, you don’t want to stop growing these plants simply because the deer have the same taste in vegetation as you.
A deer’s natural reaction when they see or smell a human is to run away. You can use this to your advantage by placing human hair around your garden. Another option is putting some hair in a sock and hanging that in your garden. You’ll need to add new hair every couple of days, but you should be able to drop by a barber shop and ask for some of the hair clippings.
Use an Animal Repellent
Many gardening stores offer animal repellents that you can use in your garden. Animal urine, specifically fox or wolf urine, is a natural enemy to garden pests. If you have a large dog, let him or her mark the area around your garden as that can also help keep animals away.
You can also make your own hot-pepper repellent and spray that on your plants. The animals don’t like the irritation the peppers cause and will be less inclined to munch on your yard. Remember that you’ll need to reapply these repellents every few days or after a rainstorm.
Use Loud Noises or Lights
You can use motion-sensing lights to help scare away stray animals, especially those who scavenge in your yard at night. Some electronic repellents use motion sensors to spray water at pests that try to eat your plants. The best part with motion sensors is that they go off after a certain time period and will only go back on if movement triggers them. Another option is to simply set a radio play at random intervals to scare off any potential pests.
However, if you also have shy or elderly pets or animals at your home, this might not be the best option for you. Shy pets may become increasingly skittish around these new sources of light and sound. If you have an elderly pet, they may start to eventually exhibit cognitive problems similar to what those with Alzheimer’s experience. These new lights and sounds could potentially be confusing and lead to disorientation.
Add Fencing
While fencing is the most expensive option, it’s also one of the most effective. It keeps the animals out and your yard in an enclosed area. You’ll want to have a fence that is at least eight feet high to prevent animals from climbing or jumping over it. You don’t want to have a lot of space between each slat, since smaller animals can squirm through the spaces.
If fencing off your whole yard is too expensive you can also confine small areas, such as your vegetable garden, with fencing.
Keep the Animals Out, and Your Yard in One Piece.
Stray animals love scavenging through residential backyards because they have many choices for food and shelter. Eliminating these options and using humane repellents will help protect your yard from these animals for the rest of the warm season.
Hi! I am so glad to be back at Life With Lorelai today. I don’t know about you, but we have had a couple of nice weather days in a row. I was busy today cleaning up my back yard. I have wanted a wooden garden sign for my “new” old garden gate, so I found a piece of scrap wood and got to work.
Wooden Garden Sign
A Humorous DIY Project for Your Garden
I created this fun section in my yard by the back door with an old garden gate. I had been wanting a gate for so long. I thought I was going to have to purchase something new and make it look old; but then, I ran into a great garage sale. It still wasn’t as cheap as wanted, but I bought it anyway because I loved it. And, it was exactly what I was looking for.
I planted flowers and greenery in the boys’ old wagon and place a smaller container on the other side, but have known from the beginning that I wanted a fun sign too. I just could not figure out what I wanted it to say.
So many of the signs out there have been used so much, maybe this one has too, but I hadn’t seen it. When I saw it on the internet it made me laugh. I am not sure of the original creator though, and I could not find an original post.
I found a scrap piece of masonite in the garage and decided to spray it with my teal spray paint.
After a couple of coats, I took it inside to the Silhouette machine. I used Arial and Glamorous Brush fonts for the wording.
This is what it looked like on my Silhouette studio screen.
I cut it out with black vinyl. This makes it easier to trace. If you look closely, you can see that I have traced around the first three letters. I used a black sharpie. I usually use a pencil, but the teal paint was not allowing the pencil to show, so I had to resort to the sharpie and be pretty careful with my tracing. (I am not the neatest tracer).
Here they are all traced and ready for paint.
I used regular black acrylic paint for the letters. And here it is all done. It doesn’t have to be perfect. It is hand painted!
After it was completely dry, I took it out to the garage and used a sanding block to distress it a bit. The weather and time will do the rest!
Right now, it is just tucked in and resting on the gate latch, but I think I will need to drill a couple of holes and use some wire to make it more permanent. I am afraid our Iowa winds may take it away.
What do you think? I love the final look!
It was a fun little project, and it makes me smile every time I come home!
Have a great day, and I will be back in a couple of weeks!
With summer quickly approaching, now is the perfect time to start thinking about how to decorate your garden. Metal is great for garden projects because the shine from the material makes for dazzling décor.
Whether you’re new to crafting or are a DIY veteran, these five projects are perfect for adding a little bling to your garden without breaking the bank:
Get some gloves and safety goggles before you start. Aluminum cans are sharp. Safety first!
You’ll need a box cutter and some strong scissors for this project. You’ll also need some cardstock for creating designs, a sharpie to draw with and something sharp — like a screw or an awl — to poke your aluminum.
Start by using your box cutter to remove the top and bottom ends of the can. Once you have your cylinder, cut the aluminum straight down the middle to give you one rectangular piece of material.
Trace your design onto the aluminum, and then cut it out using your scissors. Once your design is free, you can use an awl or screw to puncture the charm for added decoration or even just to hang it.
Steamer Basket Flowers
Steamer baskets are easy to find, and they are perfect for adding some shine to your garden. Check your local thrift store or flea market, and you’re sure to find at least one steamer basket ready to be repurposed.
Copper is a beautiful addition to any outdoor space. The color and shine is probably why copper was a big trend in 2015. Using copper end caps as succulent planters is a perfect way to add a little metallic bling to your garden.
Succulents don’t require much water, so drainage shouldn’t be an issue. If you’re worried about it, though, you could drill a small hole in the bottom of the cap.
Not only is a penny ball another great use of copper in the garden, but it’s functional as well as decorative. In case you were wondering how, copper repels slugs. A penny ball can even help hydrangeas stay bright and flourish by enhancing the pH of your soil. The catch? You should use pennies from before 1983.
After that year, pennies started having much more zinc than copper. Too much zinc can disrupt the natural order of your garden. It makes the soil inhospitable to earthworms and microorganisms that are necessary to healthy soil and plants.
To make your penny ball:
Start by selecting your spherical base. Whether you choose to use an inflatable ball or a bowling ball, you’ll need something to glue all those pennies to.
Use an outdoor glue such as marine goop. It should be moisture and UV resistant to help it stand up to the demands of the outdoors. Make sure your workspace is well ventilated.
Glue the pennies on in the pattern of your choice.
Silverware Flowers
Got some bent silverware you’re ready to get rid of? Don’t just toss it in the trash — repurpose it into shiny flowers for your garden! You can glue your silverware together however you’d like to make your flowers. You can also use washers and candle snuffers to add an extra level of glam.
No matter how you decide to decorate your garden, it’s hard to go wrong with metal. With a little effort, your garden will be ready to impress neighbors and friends in no time. ~Megan
Think a rose is a rose? Find out from regular contributor, Megan Wild. She brings us another beautiful post to bring the glory of roses to your garden.
If you’re keen on including a climbing rose in your garden, make sure you have a sturdy structure for it to grow skyward on. The perennial will need space to grow as it will spread and cover over the years.
Here’s how to build a trellis that will provide the structural support the plant requires while adding visual flare to your garden space.
You can keep your costs down if you use wood from around your yard. Some people may tell you that you need willow, but if you’re pruning trees around your property, the small trimmed branches will do the trick.
Dimensions:
The completed trellis will be 7 feet, 4.5 inches tall and 3 feet wide.
Materials:
As you will be cutting wood, hammering nails and more, be sure to use the proper tools for optimal safety.
Box of 13/4-inch nails
Hammer
Floral wire roll
12 straight branches (approximately one inch in diameter)
3 pieces (3 feet in length each) [A]
1 piece (6 feet long) [B]
2 pieces (5 feet in length each) [C]
2 pieces (each 25 inches in length each) [D]
2 pieces (22.5 inches in length each) [E]
2 pieces (39.5 inches in length) long [F]
Steps:
Place [A] pieces horizontally on a flat surface.
2 pieces should be 18 inches apart
1 pieces should be 16 inches above the center piece
Place [B] vertically across the [A] pieces. The end at the bottom of the structure needs to overlap the bottom [A] pieces by 4.5 inches.
Secure the [B] to all of the [A] pieces with nails along the center joints.
Place [C] vertically at approximately 3.5 inches in from the ends of the crosspieces.
Secure the crosspieces to the joints with nails.
Put [D] and [E] pieces diagonally, slightly covering the horizontal crosspieces.
Secure with nails at the junction.
Put [F] behind [B] and atop the [C] side pieces.
Wrap floral wire around all of the main junctions to reinforce the structure’s strength.
Once you have the trellis built, choose a location for it and the rose plant. Roses can flourish in full sun as well as partial shade. It’s important to consider factors such as trees that can increase shade or metal roofs which can reflect sunlight more than traditional shingle roofs. These types of factors can greatly effect how much you need to water your roses to keep them healthy.
Now that you have the desired location for your rose plant picked out, place the trellis into the soil. Ensure it is low enough in the dirt that it will be able to stand on its own once the plant has grown and established.
When planting the rose, dig a hole where you want the flower to bloom. A good rule of thumb is to create a hole twice as wide as the roots and 2 feet deep. Once the rose is in place, water extensively. Cover the roots with soil and water again.
Rose plants are great addition to any garden as they provide vibrant color year after year. With a trellis to grow on, they’ll create visual interest through the added levels and dimension.
Megan Wild loves planting flowers in the spring. When she’s not in the midst of her garden of tulips and daisies, you can find her writing tips and ideas for her blog, Your Wild Home.
Last year Luke and I laid paving stones in his side yard. We did the half from the backyard. this year we are laying the stones in the rest of the side yard leading to the front yard. We finally got rid of the huge pile of clean fill dirt, thanks to Craigslist, and are able to get started with the project. Here is a picture of the stone walk we laid last year. You can see the area at the end of the walkway where we are working now.
Luke got the trench dug for a cement curbing along the house. The foundation is really rough and certainly not straight, so we thought pouring a little cement to give us a straight line would be the best bet.
And here’s Luke, my he-man, after he finished digging the trench. Hahaha!
Well, folks…this was just a little piece of what we did over the weekend. Hope you had a wonderful weekend too.
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What did you do this weekend?
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Coming this Wednesday, August 21st… X-ray of a Blog pt. 3
If you missed any of this Blogging Tips Series, check it out from the BEGINNING here.
