We all typically tend to focus on completing landscaping projects in the spring so we can enjoy the fruits of our labours when summer arrives. However, a perfect time of year to start your next DIY landscaping project is in the fall. First, you’ll have cooler weather to work more comfortably. Second, you won’t feel as rushed trying to get everything done before the May 24th long weekend rolls around. Here are some DIY landscaping projects ideal to tackle this fall.
The Perfect DIY Outdoor Kitchen
As barbecue season winds down it can be hard to hang up your apron until next summer. However, if you set your sights on an easy DIY outdoor kitchen, you can build in everything you need to stretch that outdoor cooking window out a few more months. Here’s how to build an outdoor kitchen you can enjoy well into late fall.
DIY Kitchen Cabinets
Outdoor cabinets bring the interior look outdoors creating an authentic chef-quality cooking experience. Your outdoor kitchen cupboards must be designed to withstand the harsh Ontario winters, yet maintain a look that suits your sense of style. Common materials include wood outdoor kitchen cabinets as well as steel BBQ Cabinets. Custom designs ensure you have a spot for everything, so you aren’t constantly running back into the house for supplies and cooking tools.
DIY Outdoor Kitchen Island
Some materials to consider for your DIY outdoor kitchen island include:
- Kitchen with pavers: This is one of the easiest and most affordable materials to use for your DIY outdoor kitchen plans. They are highly versatile, come in a wide assortment of styles, sizes, and colours, and can be adapted to a long list of kitchen features. When using pavers you simply need to layout your plan and use a stacking method to create your walls. They are the perfect choice for a DIY round kitchen island as you can choose pavers designed for creating curves. The work can be done using a level to ensure your walls are sound. A strong outdoor construction adhesive is used to hold the stones together, so you don’t need to contend with messy mortar and cement.
- Brick outdoor kitchen: A DIY brick outdoor kitchen can get a little more complicated because you will require a concrete slab as a stable foundation. You’ll need to work meticulously to ensure each “course” of brick is laid properly using mortar to secure each layer. However, while it takes more time and effort, the result is well worth it. In fact, you can actually build a DIY concrete BBQ that is designed for cooking, without an actual grill.
- Outdoor kitchen with stone veneer: One of the most popular looks today is the stone veneer outdoor kitchen. It has a high-end finish but does require several steps including building a wood frame, sheathing the frame, attaching the lath, and then using a scratch coat before you can begin laying the stone.
There are many easy DIY kitchen ideas to choose from that you can add to your ideal backyard island. For all of your landscaping needs or if you want to learn more about DIY landscaping projects, contact our team at Lane’s Landscaping today.
DIY Outdoor Kitchen Countertops
The best DIY kitchen countertops are natural stone materials, as they can withstand the elements. However, a trend for a more modern, edgy look is outdoor concrete countertops. They offer an affordable, custom look that you can easily achieve on your own. Concrete BBQ countertops just require a concrete form made of wood and your concrete mix. You build your form, pour the concrete, and allow it to cure and set. Another option is wood kitchen countertops such as cedar. They are easy to install but do require some protection each spring to keep them looking their best.
DIY Firepit
Firepits are a must with the unpredictable Ontario weather. Some ideas include:
DIY Stone Firepit
Stone can be used in creative yet affordable ways. In fact, it can be as simple as drawing a circle or square, laying sand right over your grass, and then stacking your stones to form the edging.
DIY Flagstone Firepit
Like above, your flagstone fire pit can be created quite simply. However, flagstone also makes a fabulous facing once you build a concrete base and walls for your pit.
DIY Firepit With Pavers
Since pavers come in ready-made shapes, you can easily stack them in the configuration you desire.
Building A Fire Pit With Natural Rocks
Natural rocks might take some finagling using a hammer to break them into suitable shapes, but they can then be stacked to create an attractive, easy fire pit.
How Many Bricks Do I Need for A Fire Pit?
Of course, it depends on the size. However, a meter-diameter fire pit would need about 80 bricks.
Making A Fire Pit Out Of Bricks
Your DIY outdoor fire pit can be as traditional as a simple DIY camping firepit, or as complicated as a DIY gas fire pit. However, a classic look is using brick to create both a DIY firepit and seating.
DIY Walkway
Walkways create a clear path throughout your outdoor space while adding texture and interest. Here are some things to consider for your DIY walkway:
Best Material For Walking Path
Walking paths can be made from materials as simple as pebbles such as pea stone or river rocks, or be more complicated using pavers or concrete. Your budget and the look you wish to create will determine the best material for your DIY walkways.
DIY Concrete Walkway
Concrete can be difficult to master, but if you have patience, you can create intricate forms and layout paths that look professional and will last for years.
DIY Stone Walkway
Stone offers a classic look, but can also be more modern and edgy if you choose something like slate.
DIY Concrete Walkway Faux Flagstone
Faux flagstone allows you to get a high-end look with a lower price tag.
Easy DIY Walkway
Your easy DIY walkway can be achieved with a number of materials such as river rock or pea stone, gravel, or traditional concrete pavers.
DIY Pallet Walkway
Get into the eco-friendly spirit by repurposing pallets to create paths that wend their way through your garden.
Brick Paver Walkway
This is a major undertaking but creates more texture and colour for your walkways. They are ideal for your DIY front walkway/driveway.
DIY Landscape Edging
If you want to take on a simple, yet impressive fall DIY project – landscape edging is the answer. Here are some ideas:
DIY Landscape Border Edging
Border edging adds a design element to your landscaping that helps define the flow of your landscape scheme. It can be created with a long list of materials including wood, stone, pavers, brick, and more.
DIY Garden Edging
Garden edging helps contain your garden beds while adding structure. It is a finishing touch that offers an affordable way to bring your garden to the next level. As above, you can choose the materials that provide the ideal look for your garden. Here is a breakdown of the most popular materials:
- How to build a rock garden border: Rock gardens highlight rocks and stones to add hardscaping features that appear naturally. Building a rock garden border therefore should use the same natural materials which can simply be stacked two deep or so to create a natural flow and transition between the garden and the lawn or pathways of the rest of your backyard.
- Flower bed edging: Flower bed edging can be used both practically and decoratively. For example, if you have tap root plants, flower bed edging must go deeper below the surface to help contain the plants, while something purely decorative can be laid along the surface.
- Easy DIY garden edging: The easiest DIY garden edging tends to be pavers as they can simply be stacked using a strong exterior adhesive.
- Stone garden edging: Stone offers a more holistic look for your garden edging.
- DIY concrete garden edging: Although you’ll need to do some digging and build a frame, concrete garden edging allows you to create gentle curves that can soften the look of your garden beds.
Landscaping With Rocks And Mulch
This project can really provide a professional landscaping detail that ups the value of your property.
Mulch Landscaping Ideas
Landscaping with river rock and mulch is as simple as laying down some landscaping cloth and spreading the materials evenly in your flower beds. Some ideas include:
- Cottage landscaping with mulch on a hill to help control weeds and add a finished look
- Pool landscaping with mulch for affordable accents
- Landscaping around trees with mulch to prevent weeds and add a punch of colour and texture
- Front yard landscaping ideas with black mulch to add a modern accent to flower beds
How To Spread Mulch
Mulch can be dumped directly from the bag onto the ground and you can spread it using either a hoe or your hands. If buying in bulk, you can load up your wheelbarrow and dump it or use a shovel for smaller areas. Lay the mulch about five to 10 cm thick to protect the area from weeds, while also ensuring you don’t prevent water from penetrating the soil below.
Lay Mulch Over Grass
If you want to get rid of areas of grass in your garden, you can lay down landscaping cloth or even cardboard and cover it with a good layer of about 10 cm of mulch.
How To Mulch Flower Beds
This is an important step to help keep your soil rich. It also prevents weeds in the spring. Lay down the landscaping cloth and cover it with 20 cm of mulch.
Any of these DIY fall landscaping projects will help create a customized look for your outdoor space.
Thinking about completing some DIY projects this fall? Get all of your supplies at Lane’s Landscaping Supplies. Our team is here to help. Contact us today.
Sources:
https://www.thisoldhouse.com/yards/21016432/how-to-build-an-outdoor-kitchen
https://www.diynetwork.com/how-to/outdoors/structures/how-to-build-a-brick-barbecue
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uELNhTAa0YU
https://oldworldgardenfarms.com/2018/07/15/homemade-concrete-countertops/
https://www.thegardenglove.com/diy-project-how-to-build-a-back-yard-fire-pit/
https://homebnc.com/best-diy-firepit-ideas/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c4Dsqvad8FI
https://www.backyardboss.net/how-to-build-rock-gardens/
https://www.skh.com/thedirt/how-to-lay-mulch/
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