FYI: Summer Backyard Projects

Anticipating staying home this summer? Backyard projects are a great way to stay productive and active while helping to alleviate midsummer boredom. They are also perfect for families to engage in together as group activities! We handpicked the following ideas for their effectiveness and simplicity. Whether you want to build one or all the projects, are only seeking to beautify your yard, or are going for a more practical and efficient effect, we know this collection will help you enjoy your personal outdoor space even more during the warmer months ahead!

 

Vertical Vegetable Garden

Image: dengarden.com

If you don't have a lot of space for a vegetable garden, vertical gardening may be the perfect solution for you. These vertical gardens can help you grow and harvest great crops of vegetables in three-to-five gallon containers. They can even grow great little herb gardens indoors in small containers on window sills. Pole beans and cucumbers are perfect plants for vertical gardening. Plum, roma and cherry tomatoes can be grown easily from hanging baskets, as can pumpkins, yardlong beans, potatoes, yellow crookneck squash, and zucchini!

 

What You'll Need:

  • Wooden pallet
  • Sandpaper
  • Staple gun and staples
  • Hammer and nails
  • Landscaping paper
  • Planting soil
  • 1/4-thick medium-density fibreboard (MDF)
  • Plants

For full instructions click here!

 

Grow Light for Seedlings

Image: caboose-spices.com

Have you ever started your growing season with glee, only to be disappointed by spindly, weak seedlings? There is a simple solution—and in fact, it’s critical for the seed-starting process: light! This problem can be fixed by building an easy DIY grow light for seedlings with simple, affordable parts. Stopping by your local hardware store should do the trick!

 

What You'll Need:

  • One 48" wide wire shelf unit 
  • Two 48-inch long T8 fluorescent work lights with cords 
  • Four T8 fluorescent bulbs, 2 cool tone, 2 warm tone 
  • 1 Digital timer 
  • 1 Surge protector 
  • 4 S-hooks 

For full instructions click here!

 

Self-Watering Seed Starter Pot

Image: seattlesundries.com

If you’re new at growing your own produce, this DIY Self-Watering Seed Starter Pot Planter can help you not to stress! With one (or several) of these, you can easily tell when it’s time to replenish the water source. This will ensure that your plants are watered with the right amount at the right time, every time. It’s also much better to water from the bottom, since growing from the top could allow fungus and mildew to grow and make your plants sick. They can even kill or severely weaken your seedlings if the moisture stays around too long.

 

What You'll Need:

  • 2-Liter Bottles
  • Potting Soil
  • Seeds
  • Cotton String
  • Block of Wood

For full instructions click here! 

 

Sandbox Fort

Image: tarynwhiteaker.com

If you are hoping to spruce up the look of your backyard while keeping the kids entertained, try adding a little playground magic by building a sandbox! It only takes around one afternoon (and a little elbow grease) to get it done, but we know it can be worth it in the end!

 

What You'll Need:

For Box:

    • (4) 1 X 8 X 6 Pieces of Wood
    • (2) 1 X 3 X 5 Pieces of Wood
    • (1) 1 1/4″ Dowel
    • Weed Barrier
    • (20) 1 1/2″ Wood Screws

 

  • Minwax Dark Walnut Stain & Classic Gray Stain (Optional)
  • Polycrylic
  • Industrial Tape
  • (15) 50 lb bags of Play Sand 
  • Paint or Wood Stain

For Tent: 

  • 64″ X 136″ Piece of Fabric (allow a little extra for hem)
  • (4) 4″ Loop Hooks
  • Nylon Rope

Tools:

  • Power Drill
  • Staple Gun
  • Circular Saw
  • Level
  • Sewing Machine (for tent)



For full instructions click here!

 

Easy Rainbow Paver Hopscotch

Image: MomsCraftySpace.com

Here’s a super simple D.I.Y. project that fits perfectly beside the sandbox... hopscotch! This kid-friendly game is irresistible fun for any family, but who needs chalk and a driveway when you can use paint and garden pavers? This is one cost-effective way to delight your kids all summer long… all while retaining your yard’s visual beauty! While we love having a variety of colors, you can pick any you want! We suggest choosing colors that work well together with the rest of your backyard decor.

 

What you’ll need:

 

  • Craft Paper
  • 11 12” Garden Pavers
  • Spray paint in the colors of the rainbow
  • Exterior Latex Paint
  • 1” foam Brush

 

For full instructions click here!

 

Macrame Hammock

Image: hunker.com

Macrame is a centuries-old method used to make furniture, plant holders and other home decor items. Use this method to create a fun, comfortable hammock for your porch or backyard! If you’ve completed some of the other projects, this is a perfect way to balance everything out and catch a break at the end of the day! Watch your kids on the hopscotch set, admire your beautiful new additions to the garden, or just relax with a good book or a cold drink! Swinging hammocks are very popular, but by making your own you can save a few dollars!

 

What You’ll Need:

 

  • 3 1 1/4-inch hardwood dowels, 30-inches long
  • 2 5/8-inch hardwood dowels, 36-inches long
  • 200 yards, 1/4-inch macrame cord or rope
  • 8 yards, 1/2-inch rope
  • 4 1-inch wood screws
  • Drill and 5/8-inch bit
  • Measuring tape
  • Scissors

For full instructions click here! 

 

 

*images used in this post are neither sponsored nor endorsed by River Valley Co-op

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