20+ DIY Projects To Get Your Garden & Yard Ready For Spring

Days are getting longer, and daffodils are already starting to peek. Is your garden ready for Spring? Here are some great, affordable, DIY backyard projects to get your oasis ready for months of planting and entertaining!

In many areas of the country, the groundhog had it SO wrong! Just when he told us we had 6 more weeks of winter, the temps rose, and they haven't gone back down since.  We are certainly not complaining much, especially since the kids used up all of their school snow days during the 1st 2 weeks of January. But now Spring is knocking hard at our doors, and we are not at all caught up on yard maintenance and garden preparation!

No worries! We have all sorts of creative and affordable ideas, projects, and solutions to get your yards in tip-top shape. We've got garden prep and planting, cool landscaping and entertaining features and even creative critter control and feeding. With all of these fantastic and easy tutorials, this might finally be the year for you to build that firepit of which you have been dreaming!

20+ DIY Backyard Projects That Will Transform Your Yard Into An Outdoor Lover's Paradise

Garden Prep

1 - DIY soil pH test

We really shouldn't even think about planting anything until we know what kind of soil we have.  This DIY test allows us to find out quickly and easily so that we can make necessary adjustments before planting season starts!

credit: Preparednessmama

2 - Turn an old bicycle into a plow

This is downright ingenious and is a great solution for smaller plots.  So clever and no noise pollution!

credit: stin987

WATCH:  From 10 speed to plow in a few easy steps

 3 - Household soil additives that nurture dirt and protect plants

Tea Bags

Don't throw out the tea bags!  As you are planting, take a few moments to plant some in your beds to enrich soil, repell pests and even fight weeds!

credit: Natural Ways

WATCH:  Nutrients and characteristics of tea can be very beneficial to your plants

Pencil Shavings

Teachers and parents, you will love this one! Keep a stash of pencil shavings for your flowers and veggies. Pencils are made of cedar, which pests hate. Place them around plants or in compost and enjoy a chemical-free garden.

credit: Thrivemarket

Coffee Grounds

Who needs expensive soil additives and fertilizers when you can recycle your morning cup of Joe?  

credit: Your House & Garden

4 - Use newspaper to create flower beds

This hack requires a little patience, but it sure beats digging up grass!  

credit: Canadian Gardening

Plant Life

1 - Veggies and flowers that you should plant side-by-side

Planning a garden should be more than just deciding how many peas you are going to plant.  The healthiest and most abundant gardens use companion planting strategies, which allow one species' positive attributes to help the neighboring plant.  Rodale's Organic Life has a helpful list that will get you started toward a magnificent garden!

credit: Rodale's Organic Life

2 - How to make an easy and ornamental lettuce sphere

How does YOUR garden grow?  How about upside down and in the shape of a ball!?  This lettuce sphere is just as pretty as it is yummy.  And it's simple to make.  Check out the video from HGTV.

credit: HGTV

WATCH:  A refreshing summer salad, at your fingertips.

 3 - Learn to make an affordable raised garden using a pallet

Turn any area of the yard into a garden, using a pallet and some landscaping fabric.  Cuts down on weeds and keeps plants nicely spaced in their rows! 

credit: The Homestead Guru

 4 - Tickle your tomato plant for a bountiful harvest

Believe it or not, your tomatoes are ticklish!  And they will pay you back if you just give them a little wiggle every once in a while.  

credit: MI Gardener

WATCH:  A little TLC will make your tomato plants very happy

5 - Get maximum impact with a DIY flower tower

Giant, lush container flowers don't have to break the bank!  A little DIY know-how and some basic hardware materials can put this incredible mountain of petunias on your deck this summer!  Visit Alternative Energy Gardening for the complete step-by-step instructions.

credit: Alternative Energy Gardening

6 - Build a planter wall using cinder blocks and paint brushes!

It is easy to add a colorful and functional architectural feature to your patio!  Choose whatever colors and plants you love the most for a stunning addition to your yard.

credit: Garden Answer

WATCH:  $2 cinder blocks can transform your outdoor space

7 - Expand your garden for free when you know how and when to divide perennials

Before you head to the nursery, check your yard to see if you can divide some plants that you already have. You might even ask your neighbors if they have some they would like to swap with you! 

credit: Better Homes & Gardens

Backyard Paradise 

1 - Build your own fish pond or water garden

There's nothing more relaxing than the sound of flowing water.  Take a weekend to turn a corner of your yard into an oasis like this one.  You won't be sorry.  Visit Mom Dot to see exactly how they did it.

credit: Mom Dot

If a smaller pond is more your speed, you can turn old tires into sweet little backyard water features.

credit: Homesthetics

2 - DIY firepit, step-by-step

Firepits are so popular, many new homes include one as a standard feature!  For those of us who don't have that luxury, you can make your own gorgeous pit at a fraction of the cost of a professionally built version. 

credit: Pearls and Cowboy Boots

3 - Tuna can garden lights

If you want to add some lovely light and personality to your outdoor space, this is a clever, budget-friendly idea that is perfect for entertaining. 

credit: In My Own Style

4 - Beach towel hammock

Don't spend your money on a generic and expensive hammock when you can recycle a favorite beach towel into the perfect lounging spot. With just a few sewing skills, this nap space can be yours!  

credit: Design Sponge

5 - Stock tank pool

Just when you thought you'd seen it all...someone created a people pool out of a stock tank.  

credit: Tractor Supply

6 - The ultimate BBQ shed

Hold the phone. If you are a backyard entertainer, you are not going to believe this one. On first glance, this looks like an ordinary shed.

credit: Badger Ales via Unilad

But with a few twists and turns and pulls, look what it becomes!  The most tricked out BBQ and beer lovers' shack on the block!  Badger Ales, a British beer brand, came up with this winning idea and we love it!  Do you think they ship to the US? ;)

credit: Badger Ales via Unilad

WATCH:  From shed to BBQ paradise, check out all of the amazing details

Wildlife

1 - Build your own birdfeeders

Our feathered friends are starting to come out and bask in the sun.  As they are working on nest-building and egg-laying, we can keep them fortified with these cute and colorful upcycled birdfeeders. 

credit: Ana White credit: Junk Market Style

2 - Protect your Hosta from grazing deer

If you have Hosta, you probably know the frustration of seeing those gorgeous mounds of foliage nibbled to shreds by overnight visitors. Did you know that a little bit of Irish Spring soap will help you solve that problem?  

credit: A Little Bit of Everything

3 - Things are looking a little squirrely

Love them or hate them, squirrels are your neighbors and they are probably not going anywhere. So why not give them something productive to do? If you're lucky, these might just keep them away from the birdfeeders!

credit: eHow

We hope you found some DIY backyard projects that you can put to use in your outdoor space.  Warmer weather is around the corner and these ideas will have you ready for planting and entertaining throughout the coming seasons!

Credit: All Created

YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE: 10+ DIY Camper Renovation Ideas Turn Your Backyard into A Guest Suite