Much as many of us would like to live on a secluded lot, miles from the nearest neighbor, not many of us are that lucky! Enjoying time in our #garden can mean the need for some privacy from the #outside world. It is our respite, our seclusion.  If you like to lounge on your porch, deck or patio, without prying eyes, read on. We have DIY patio privacy screens and solutions for you! From ‘Design, Dining and Diapers’, her #DIY garden slat wall is an easy #project . Lots of instructions and photos as she completes it, step by step. This is one of those projects any of you can do, and it looks amazing!
  We LOVE ‘Tater Tots and Jello’! (Have you seen her kitchen makeover?) Jen created this DIY privacy screen for a Lowe’s challenge, and this turned out so awesome! Made from old closet doors…yes, really. You gotta jump on over!
  From Melissa at ‘Polka Dot Chair’, these outdoor hanging drapes were made from chain link fence posts. Good photos on how she did it. Great idea for privacy with some “pretty” attached!
  From ‘DIY Network’, this privacy screen is meant to hide a hot tub, but you could use it for any privacy issue. One of the perks is that it’s movable, so if one day you need to shade your afternoon tea, and the next you need to block out nosy neighbor kids… it does it all!
  ‘Organized Chaos’ created this DIY privacy screen from lattice, but I like their twist… it’s a hanging screen! Gives it a touch of elegance. Lots of photos, and before and after pictures.
  This painted privacy screen from Home Depot was made with drop cloths. I like the idea of adding the color and the DIY touch.
  Create a Cabana with drop cloths, with the full tutorial by ‘Fancy Frugal Life’… This looks so pretty, you have to click through to all her photos.
  This last ones my favorite! Lowes has a tutorial for their patio hideaway screen made with lumber and aluminum flashing. This looks so unique and upscale. I’d love to try it with a dark stain…

There is something magical about a summers night in the #garden . Warm air, stars, nostalgia, good friends… Being in the garden at night feels like you get permission to share in the quiet part of nature’s day… It’s relaxing, a little mysterious, and a lot of fun. However, we have two problems hanging out in the garden after the sun goes down. One is light, the other is bugs. We have a solution for both! #DIY tiki #torches to light up your outdoor garden spaces so you can make merry long after sunset. And these projects can be used as mosquito repellent as well by using citronella torch fuel, what a great bonus! Easy and fun projects, and they have a little artsy quality to them as well, which is not what you will find from the cheap raffia tiki torches you find at the discount store. So DIY the night! LOVE these DIY mason jar tiki torches from The Frugal Homemaker! They take 5 minutes to make!
  Recycled wine bottle torches are all over the internet, but this is one of the most complete tutorials we’ve found, from Design Sponge.
  ‘Cody Uncorked’ has this great graphic and easy instructions on wine bottle tiki torches, if you need a visual!
  These DIY mosquito repellent lanterns are a touch different from torches, as they sit on a table… made from old liquor bottles, these have great charm! From ‘Yeah Vintage’, great tutorial! Less than $15 to make 3 large torches.
  I like these wine bottle tiki torches by ‘Armchair Sommelier’ because they have a pretty quality to them with the glass stones in the bottom… great detail to this tutorial!
  This is a similar wine bottle torch project by ‘When the Pigs Fly’, easy and short instructions.
  ‘Sugar and Charm’ gives us another way to reuse those old bottles, with their short DIY tiki torch tutorial. This is really charming!
  These tiki torch anchors by Martha couldn’t be easier, and keep you from have to pound your torches into the ground, hitting every rock in your county. (Been there!)
  ‘Green Living Ideas’ teaches us how to make recycled bottle tiki torches, using washers and their own homemade wicks. (Saves you money, wicks aren’t free!)
  Love this next one – from ‘My Home My Style’, this sleek, modern looking Copper Patio Torch is gorgeous!

  Last we have a decorative wine bottle tiki torch tutorial… from ‘Glitter Glue and Paint’… definitely for the craftier gardener. So cute! Enjoy your time in the garden, at night!

Greenhouses can extend your #growing season, allow you to propagate plants from your yard, and the yard of #fellow gardeners, and let you grow tender or delicate plants you might not otherwise be able to grow. I’ve seen lettuce and spinach grow in a greenhouse when there was a foot of snow on the ground. An old gardening friend of mine would use her #greenhouse to pot up all her volunteer seedlings from her yard, grow them in four inch pots in the greenhouse, then have a plant sale to raise money for her charity. Any way you look at it, if you’re a serious gardener, you would love to get your hands on a greenhouse. So how do we solve problems at TGG? We #DIY it! We found you some great DIY greenhouse projects and plans that range from a temporary row solution, all the way to a full size backyard greenhouse! Before you pick out a project, read over our “getting started” tips to help you choose, site and start your DIY greenhouse. Our feature project, above, is a mini window greenhouse by Crafts Ala Mode. Getting Started with Your Greenhouse Position your greenhouse running lengthwise east to west. This will give it the longest stretch of daylight each day. Make sure your greenhouse will get at least 6 hours of sun in the winter. Remember, if you plan on having electricity in your greenhouse, site it close enough to your source. Try to position it away from kids play areas. Make sure your greenhouse has a working thermometer. You will need to pay attention to temperature unless your system has automatic venting. In the winter, the minimum inside temp should remain between 45-60 degrees for active growing. A sunny winter day can quickly heat up the interior of a greenhouse, even if its freezing outside. Be sure to open vents and allow cool air to enter when the temps rise too much. ‘Design Dreams by Anne’ created this DIY baby greenhouse from old storm windows. This may be one of my favorite projects! It may not be air tight for all you who are looking for that, but I think it would do a very charming job for the most of us. Did I mention it’s charming?
  Want to save the earth? Ana White has free plans on how to make a plastic bottle greenhouse! What a great idea and re-use of materials!
  Here’s another soda bottle greenhouse for inspiration, photo by John Rutherford.
  Need a quick and inexpensive idea for protecting plants already in the ground? 2-Liter soda bottles and some ingenuity.
  Need a portable seed starting greenhouse/ cold-frame? Find out how to make this greenhouse at Instructables from Brian Perry.
  Ok, let’s get serious. Ana White made her own DIY barn style greenhouse from her plans, and it is incredible! All her DIY plans are amazing, but with all the step by step photos, I really feel like I could make this!
  Find our how to build a $50 greenhouse! Yes, this hoop house was built by Door Garden, and was profiled in Birds and Blooms magazine. Lot’s of good information here, and step by step photos.
  How to make a greenhouse from a pallet, by Anthony Win on Instructables.
  Find an easy tutorial for this homemade greenhouse at ThinMac. It looks like it would fit well in a small yard, too!
  No, this isn’t 1982. This geodome greenhouse is perfect for areas with high winds and heavy snows. Northern Homestead made this easy for the rest of us, because they did all the hard work. They even included a link to an online calculator to help figure out the mathematics of the dome!
  Finally, Fabulously Frugal made this greenhouse for less than $100! Great instructions…actually, theirs came out to $67!

I love metal projects, and copper is a perfect medium to reflect the natural and changing state of a garden. Beautiful in all it’s forms, it is representative of how plants and gardens change through their seasons, and offer different interest at different stages. Also, it’s just really fun to work with! Relatively inexpensive, copper starts it’s life shiny and bright, and patinas over time to a lovely verdigris. Although I love that look, if you want your copper project to stay bright, simply seal it with an exterior grade clear sealer. So on to these great DIY copper garden projects that any of you can do in an afternoon! Our featured project, above, is a tutorial on how to make DIY copper tin can planters (and chalkboard tags!) from Homey Oh My! Easy and quick project with impact! ‘Tool Using Animal’ (via Instructables) made this incredible copper rain chain with copper tubing and solder. This is my fav rain chain project, and the tutorial is very complete, but I do notice he used a blow torch to solder the rings. I personally don’t own a blow torch, but it honestly gives the cleanest look, so if you have to borrow one, do! If you can’t or aren’t comfortable using one, look forward to the next project…
  As promised, a copper rain chain made without a blow torch! Ex-Scapes made this DIY copper rain chain using copper wire instead of solder…
  Simple, simple, simple! This copper mailbox by Sand and Sisal is a half hour project…really! What great curb appeal!
  Ashley of Sugar and Cloth, and contributor at Poppytalk, created these DIY mini copper planters from copper fitting caps and a bottle of ketchup! Or catsup…whatever… Curious? Easy and cool! How about these with a moss garden?

  From the book,  Trellises, Planters & Raised Beds from Cool Springs Press, this DIY copper coil trellis is easy and really amazing as art in the garden.
  Another type of decorative copper trellis project, from Lowes. Complete directions, under $100.
  Another great project from Sand and Sisal, this DIY copper mobile is such an awesome idea, and so incredibly easy… make sure you choose the size of copper tubing that bends easily. (But not too easily!)
  From Family Handyman, make this copper trellis for your garden from copper pipe for all your climbing plants… Can you imagine your roses, or even your cucumbers growing on this?
  This copper tomato spiral from ‘Suzy Homefaker’ is both functional and decorative. See how she made it.
  Finally, make copper wind chimes with the complete instructions by Chica and Jo. They use copper pipe, and remember your hardware store may be able to cut it for you!

Decks don’t always have to be attached to the house to give you an effective place to gather and entertain. In fact, floating decks, or decks that are set away from a structure, are a great design feature to break up a boxy or boring yard. They are also a great idea for larger yards that have room for an additional seating space. For instance, a small deck set away from the house might be a good area for Mom and Dad to have some quiet time and a glass of wine on summer evenings. Or a yoga space? In any case, we found some great tutorials on how to build a floating deck, that are sometimes called island decks as well. Our first tutorial on how to build a floating deck, above and below, is from ‘Home Depot’.
  From ‘Apartment Therapy’, learn how to make an island deck from repurposed pallet wood. The whole thing cost less than $100 to make!
  ‘Family Handyman’ has a step by step on how to make an island deck, complete with photos and supply lists…

  ‘DIY Network’ shows you how to build their version of a floating deck, and do it one better… there is even a video in this tutorial!
  From ‘Instuctables’, this simple floating deck tutorial is one of my favorites, because it’s so basic I think even beginning DIY’ers could do it.
  These last two are simply for inspiration, no tutorial with these. I wanted to include them so you could see how cool these can look in the landscape. So, time for a private space away from the house? This one is from ‘Martha Stewart’… I like the way they used container plants to anchor the deck visually.
  Our last bit of inspiration is from Abbey of ‘Aesthetic Outburst‘ via ‘Poppytalk‘… Now I bet you really want to get started on yours, right? Pass the Pomegranate martini!

I pretty much hate plain concrete patios. But let’s face it, most of us have ’em. They are boring and just plain… well, plain. A couple of seasons ago we stained one of our concrete patios, and that was a good solution. But I’m always on the hunt for something different, and am in the need to do my back patio soon, because yes, it is boring me to death!  Check out these DIY concrete patio cover-ups! Our featured project above & below is from Lowes. This concrete stain “rug” is easy and fast. They have a great tutorial including the pattern template!
  From Beneath My Heart, try this DIY tile look concrete stain project…
  Along those same lines, find out how to paint concrete from the tutorial at Handmade Home.
  Want a more permanent solution? Family Handyman has a complete step by step for you on how to cover a concrete patio with pavers. No jackhammer here! Give a tile facelift to an ordinary concrete porch, from DIY Network. Step by step photos.
  View Along the Way installed this DIY stained deck over their existing concrete patio. Great instructions!
  Renew your concrete patio with stain and some expert tips from Family Handyman.
  Finally, First Home Love Life updated her front porch with a stepping stone mold and spray paint on the concrete! Easy tutorial!

If you’ve been thinking about starting a water feature project in the garden this season, have you thought about adding the sights and sounds of a waterfall to your yard? Waterfalls are great for stress reduction- both watching and listening to water falling is a relaxing experience. Waterfalls can also block some neighborhood or traffic noise, attract birds and other wildlife, and let’s face it… the best reason for building a garden waterfall is that they look AMAZING. (And for the practical side of you, or your S.O., add value to your home.) And yes, you can DIY a garden waterfall! Not only is it much cheeper to do it yourself, it’s a fun project, especially for a couple or a family. Installing a waterfall is not difficult…it just takes some basic knowledge, and yes, who are we fooling’…some hard work. But most of us DIY’ers aren’t afraid of getting dirty and dragging our garden mud through the kitchen for a day or two… So here are our picks for DIY waterfall tutorials for our TGG readers. Have you installed a DIY water feature? Share with other TGG readers in comments! From Family Handyman, this backyard waterfall project can be done in less than one day. It’s rated as simple, and is small enough to be installed without having to excavate half the backyard! Pretty and functional, and it could even be used by a front walk. Good instructions.
  There are several options on Family Handyman, and really useful information like this waterfall fountain graphic from their low maintenance water feature project to help you understand the dynamics of the pumps and water lines.
And if you would like to go all out and build their backyard waterfall and stream, they have so many photos walking you through the steps!
  ‘Reinventing the Ordinary’ did a great job with their DIY waterfall project, and their instructions are simple and if you don’t have the mechanics of how pumps and water lines work for such a project, check out a few of the other tutorials first. Then this will make perfect sense. Ehow has a good basic tutorial. Love this!
  Susan at Oh My Creative has a great tutorial for you for this DIY waterfall and pond. She supplies you with good instructions, and step by step photos… Great job Susan!
  Good step by step instructions over at Passion For Ponds, for this nice DIY waterfall project.
  Lastly, DIY Network has a great tutorial on a DIY waterfall, with photos and instructions.

Unless your yard and garden is perfectly flat, chances are at one time or another, you’ve thought, “wouldn’t some steps be nice there?” Or even more ambitiously, stairs? Steps and stairs make getting around the yard easier, of course. But they also lead the eye through the garden, and give it structure. You can add DIY steps and stairs to your garden with these tutorials and inspirational ideas. Walk around your garden and evaluate… what space could be made better by even just 3-5 steps or stairs, and what slope could be transformed into usable garden space? Check out these ideas! Our feature project above and below, is from ‘2 Minute Gardener’. This tutorial on making landscape timber stairs helps guide you through this project, and be sure to read through the comment section for some additional tips. They recommend these type of substantial stairs for a larger property, or a large slope.
  From ‘BHG Australia’ learn how to build outdoor stairs. This is similar project to above, but the directions and materials are a little simpler, and probably better for the average size yard. Lots of step by step (no pun intended!) photos!
  Learn to build brick and paver stairs from ‘DIY Network’. Materials list, step by step, photos…
From ‘Pinterest‘, this homeowner also used brick trim on the edges of these concrete steps to add interest… Details count!
  Railroad tie steps have long been used by creative gardeners, but have had some controversy as of late. Nico Lock has a maintenance free version of the “ties” that can be used in garden construction of steps. From ‘Houzz‘ via ‘NicoLock‘.
  Recycle old timbers and make something like this hillside sidewalk and stairs from ‘Ohio Thoughts’. They decided to pour concrete in each step, but also considered pea gravel. Lots of personal experience and instructions.
  Another example of recycling, using broken concrete to create stairs, from ‘EnviroMom’. This isn’t a complete tutorial, but a great idea that DIY’ers could take inspiration from.
  Want to use stone slabs? I’ll be honest, I love stone steps. But no lie… you need a professional for this job. And a tractor. :) From ‘Robinson Landscaping‘…
  Already have stairs, but they are just too boring? Take a cue from artist ‘Kim Larson’, and create  mosaic stairs!
  Finally, from ‘One Specialty’, use concrete slabs to create a contemporary look with these floating concrete stairs…

Concrete, or cinder block, is an inexpensive and organic building material for the garden. Easily picked up at your local home improvement store, with a little creativity you can use it to create garden hardscaping that will last. It combines well with other elements such as wood, and is easy for even the beginning DIY’er to work with. What are five ways to use it in the garden? From ‘J Peterson Garden Design’, this cinder block succulent planter is a scaled down (read : easier) version of a planter that made it’s way across the internet last year. We understand the appeal, we created our own mini version of this with our DIY cinder block vertical planter. But we love the large scale this project is done on, and the steps are easy!
  Here is another version of a cinder block succulent planter by ‘Zack Benson Photography’…
  Steps From ‘Step by Step’, these DIY concrete block stairs are so much better than using wood… they won’t rot away in a couple years! I like the idea of planting them with a stepable ground cover… Really complete tutorial with TONS of step by step pics…
  Another example, this inspirational photo of concrete block steps is from ‘Sustainable Urban Living‘… Love how they just seamlessly merge into the side of the hill! Fire Pit What is nature, and therefore a garden, without fire? Fire is a necessary element in the world of nature and should be respected in the garden. Many trees cannot even release their seeds without the heat of a fire. This simple DIY fire pit by ‘Must Add Fabric Softener’ is another good example of the simplicity of using concrete block. And for all of you who have heard these fire pits are dangerous, read their take on this… which I happen to agree with.
  This easy fire pit was done by ‘The Dirty Loft’, and he also addresses the “concrete block will explode” controversy… BTW… Lowe’s themselves list these blocks as fire resistant.
  Furniture This DIY cinder block bench was created by ‘Decoist’ during their front porch makeover, and has a complete tutorial. They also show several different variations of adding the planter sections.
  From a Pinterest user, this bench follows the same principles…
  Another Pinterest find, this bench incorporates stacked cinder block. You can use exterior landscaping adhesive to secure the blocks together if you wish.
  This cinder block potting bench is a great idea, and is a much more stylish version college bookshelves!
  Privacy wall From ‘The Info Mine’, I love the Southwest look of this DIY cinder block planter wall… They used ‘Deck Restore’ to seal and add the color.
  Here is the unpainted version.
  This inspirational photo from ‘Houzz‘ shows you that even in an upscale design, like with this Eichler home, cinder block is a great building material!

We all have those little trinkets around our home, to personalize our space, remind us of memories, or simply to showcase our creativity. But did you ever think of having garden trinkets? You know, cute decorative things that just make you smile? After all, the garden is an extension of the home. (At least it always should be!) So we searched the blogosphere and found you some great ideas for DIY garden trinkets, to add some jewelry to your garden! From ‘Birds and Blooms’, this DIY dragonfly garden art is the perfect little sparkle for containers, beds, or just for a little whimsy in an unexpected corner. I don’t own a mini torch, but a soldering gun works just as well, and you can find one at the craft store for just a few dollars.
  ‘Crown Hill’ has a tutorial for these DIY concrete mushrooms that are so cute and easy! I can see a whole tiny field of these in a shade garden…
  These DIY rock animals from ‘Your Livable Garden’ are really cute, and as they mention, an easy project to do with the kids. I like this project, because it’s simple, but gets you out working with nature itself, creating possibilities with shapes and textures… then all it takes is a little glue to seal the deal! Check out their site to see which glue they recommend…
  We found these garden ornaments on Pinterest… if anyone knows the source, please share! But these insulators are easily found at antique and thrift shops, and can be glued onto copper pipe segments, and then insert them into the soil. Easy idea!
  This great idea is from ‘Paradis Express‘… Chicken wire globes with spray paint. The site is in French, but the idea is amazing!
  I LOVE these DIY garden things from ‘Instructables‘! So amazingly cute!
  From ‘Art Drops’, these DIY golf ball buggies are a quick and creative project for anyone. This site is not in english, but you can either use Google translate, or just follow the photos, which are really self explanatory.
  These bowling ball bugs are the same idea as the golf ball ladybugs, but if you don’t want to DIY them, you can purchase these adorable ones from ‘Recycled Smiles‘.
  From ‘Gardening Help’, these spoon butterfly ornaments are made from recycled flatware. Easy and short tutorial!
  Make something very similar to these garden spheres from West Elm, with the directions from ‘Metropolitan Hip’!
So decorate your garden with these DIY trinkets!