Its the perfect tim of the year to start a new outdoor DIY project. This collection of 20 Marvelous Rock Projects for Your Snall Garden will show you a numerous ways to use this gift from nature.
All of them are unique but can be customized to the size you wish.
The source of this beautiful fountain idea is only nature. If you happen to find a large and interesting in shape large rock, don’t miss it. Take it, drill a hole through it where the fountain chute will stay.
Dig a hole below the place of the rock to install the pump and cover with pea gravel.
This rock garden is combined with a small pond edged with stone pavers. These natural materials match the nature-inspired garden with wide vatiety of plants.
This spiral garden is shaped with larger rocks. It is compact and perfect to add to a small backyard.
This type of spiral gardens can be utilized as flower gardens or herb gardens.
Dry creeks are very popular outdoor feature which requires no investment and only some time and efforts.
Collect small river stones to make the creek and large rocks to create the edges of the creek.
You can upgrade the dry creek idea by adding faux gems to the arrangement. Faux a source of the flow with a terra cotta pitcher or another farmhouse container.
This dry creek is formed diagonally a garden covered with mulch. The combination of rocks and brown mulch creates a natural and vivid contrast.
Gravel is positioned on a curved bed and larger rocks are placed here and there to mimic the natural look of a creek.
Rocks are a beautiful and free material to edge garden beds. You can experiment with the shapes and the alignment to add contrast to the garden bed.
This is a dey creek also acting as a border between two garden beds. Used rocks are different in size and color and this turns the creek into colorful and nature-inspired outdoor decoration.
This is a lovely cottage garden idea. It features a dey creek surrounded by tufts of wild flowers. Their lush colors stand out against the sand and the neutral stones.
To make this amazing creek, you need many stones and rocks. The water pump is hidden among the large rocks which additionally enhances the natural look.
Added shrubs and plants at both sides of the creek to mimic typical creec flora.
Rocka are typical part of Asian gardens. Usually, they are sark grey to black in color and very smooth.
Use them in the garden to make a Buddha nook which will add loads of relaxation. Add statues and decorations that are related to Buddhism.
This tiny rock garden is so appealing! Combination of grey and white stones instantly drags the attention. The garden bed is covered with white pea gravel.
Planted succulents in the dry creek add a living touch to the stone feature.
Succulents are the perfect flowers for a rock garden. Their roots are shallow and require good drainage insured by the pea gravel bed.
Plant as many succulent varieties as you wish. This will turn the rock garden into a succulent exhibition.
This backyard idea shows how unique a garden can be with simple natural materials like rocks.
Rocks are various in size and color but they are arranged in such a way as if each stone is part of a puzzle. The final result is a rock garden edge that blends with the adjacent lawn and garden.
This small pond with a fountain looks like created by nature. The rocks and the plants create this beautiful landscape.
A fountain pump is hidden behind the stacked stones. Water flows out of them and creates relaxing murmuring sounds.
This tiny dry creek idea can be easily recreated. The basis is a pond basin filled with mulch. On top of them the creek is shaped with big rocks.
Rocks look like flowing out a metal pitcher. Small flower pots are inserted inbetween the rocks to add a beautiful bright color.
Rocks can be also involved in a small alpine garden. To create the mountain-like arrangement, choose flat stones.
You can easily become a sculptor with this backyard decoration idea.
For that, gather flat small stones and stack them in pyramids. Such sculptures add an Asian touch and give the decor a relaxed look.
If you are looking for material to outline raised garden beds, stones come to help.
Arrange them in the desired shape and then fill the space with mulch or soil.
This is a big dry creek which goes through the backyard. Outlinining is done with large rocks while the creek itself is mimicked with pea gravel.
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Are you looking for a unique water feature for your garden? We have collected 14 of the most unusual backyard pond, pool and fountain ideas for you.
Water features offer many advantages in addition to the visual appeal. They instantly turn into a focal point and can be used to make an area more relaxing, attract wildlife, or be used as a place to chill out in hot weather.
It is time to take a closer look at 14 Unusual Backyard Pond, Pool, and Fountain Ideas.
This backyard pond idea is inspired by the Balinese Gardens. The harmony between comfort and the natural world creates an oasis for humans.
Here, the backyard is upgraded with a natural-looking pond and an island in its middle. Approaching it happens with a floating bridge made of wood decking. The floating patio features a red day bed and semi-round bar tables at its edge.
Natural-looking swimming ponds have become very popular because of their non-traditional design and and eco-friendly approach.
They look like a creation of nature featuring a pond shape with plenty of water-friendly plants and rock edging.
Usually, the natural-looking ponds are divided into two sections by a wall. One of the areas is for swimming, the other one is called the regeneration area where natural cleaning happens with plants.
This front garden looks like a modern Asian garden feature offering a tranquil feeling with the harmonious combination of white gravel, ornamental plants and water.
The water feature comes out of a wall flowing into a ground pond. The white color of the retaining wall and the white and gravel tiles of the pond cohere with the rock garden and the siding.
This is another Asian-inspired water feature, this time having a more traditional look achieved by the retaining rock wall where the waterfall springs out.
Various plants surround the pond to give it a natural look. Floating stepping stones stay across the pond to lead the way to a corner patio with a sitting set.
The bigger your backyard is, the more options you have for attractive water feature designs. In this curious idea, a waterfall springs out of an old rusty truck to flow into a natural-looking pond.
Water is surrounded by large rocks which define its shape and give the water feature a finished look. A narrow pathway is formed from the truck to the far end of the pond to showcase the plant surroundings.
This pool offers a unique spa relaxation being placed outside in fresh air and surrounded by natural landscape.
Including a waterfall in the pool’s design creates an attractive visual impact and adds to the atmosphere with the unique murmuring of water.
This artistic waterfall design resembles two natural miracles- Stone Hendge and a volcanic spring. To recreate this landscape feature, you need volumetric stones. Arrange them aiming to put in the center the larger ones and the smaller ones around the big ones.
You can add black river stones to add to the arrangement a zen garden accent.
This waterfall idea is one of the easiest to make because the water supply comes out of the building. Water flows out of a copper-plated chute and flows into a semi-round pond in the ground.
The water feature is surrounded by an exotic rock garden showcasing different succulent varieties. Rock gardens require minimum maintenance and when you need to do it, there are stone stepping stones to reach the plant varieties.
This large-scale water feature offers an edging pool and a tiered fountain. The design is modern and accentuated by blue and black quartz that stands out against the surrounding light colors.
This is a modern pool swimming pool idea positioned at the edge of a patio. Its location is very important and enhances the relaxed mood the water feature brings.
The inclusion of a waterfall in the center of the pool is an interesting idea. It adds the murmuring sound of water to the overall tranquil feel and creates a unique visual effect. A person can reach the waterfall easily through the stone stepping stones.
This waterfall looks like an oasis in a desert. The small-scale project is easy to make with the help of a fountain pump set, a rusty H section and a pond basin. The pump is integrated into the concrete wall. It goes down the rusty section thanks to the water pressure and the slight inclination of the metal piece.
It pours down a pond basin covered with black river stones, a symbol of a zen garden. Water drains into a pipe that circulates the water back to the metal section.
In this garden water feature idea, two earth elements meet to create together a unique focal point. Fire represented by an open-air fireplace is complemented by two waterfalls that spring out of a tiled wall.
Water flows down a basin covered with light blue tiles. Ornaments decorate the frieze of the wall and the front opening of the fireplace to anchor a Mediterranean pattern accent.
A water feature can be made even in the narrowest space. As you can see in this unusual landscape idea, a pond is made next to the walkway leading to the front door.
A large driftwood branch is hung on the wall to become a unique flower stand.
Terraced terrains are perfect for a natural-looking waterfall. Create a retaining wall with rocks, stacking them into the number of tiers you want.
Insert the water pump at the top of the retaining wall and create a basin in the lowest part of the terrain. This type of water feature should be complemented by plants that match their natural look.
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Hammocks are an affordable retreat in the outdoor space. Whether stretched to trees or standing on a support, the hammock ensures a relaxing rocking in the open air.
Hammocks come in various sizes and styles. Some are intended for one person knly, others make space for two. There are even ideas for day beds where two people can comfortably lie and have a nap outdoors.
Our 15 incredible hammock ideas will upgrade your backyard and will create a special relaxing nook to enjoy.
Two large trees in the backyard and a stable macrame hammock are all you need to create an outdoor relaxing nook. The trees will double act as supports of the hammock and natural shader. In this quiet boho nook you can read a new book or take a quick nap in the open air.
Hammocks aren’t just for suspension on trees. You can hang them to rigid supports such as pergola supports, porch columns, wooden posts.
In this backyard hammock idea, hammock beds and chairs are added to the sides of a pergola to ensure extra space or an alternative way for relaxation.
Fabric hammocks look great but the cons about them is that fabrick quickly wears down under the outer conditions.
Here we give you an idea of an alternative of the fabric hammock which will last lifetime. The hanging structure is made from a corrugated metal shell. To overcome the oval shape and ensure flat sitting space, wooden slats are fixed to the inner side of the circle.
Suspension happens with chains and hooks.
This oasis is all you need to get the stress out and relax under the calming sounds of nature.
Tall trees provide shade and support of a lonely hammock. It is surrounded by a short shrubs and plants which enhance the feel for a forest setting.
This gazebo shelter is so romantic. It is surrounded by large pots with ornamental plants and when you look up, there is a blooming vine.
The greatest thing about this gazebo is that you can enjoy the surroundings lying in a hammock under the shade of the gazebo roof.
This sitting corner is created in a shady area of the backyard. As you can see, you can recreate the setting with inexpensive furniture made from lumber.
A hammock is streched to two large trees to make the outdoor experience special and relaxing.
You can turn the area where a hammock is hung into a special part of your outdoor entertainment with suitable decorations.
String lights, side table with candles, throw pillows and a blanket give the nook a romantic vibe and make the time spent outdoors comfortable and relaxing.
Rattan furniture fits perfectly the outdoor ambiance offering a modern farmhouse look and comfort.
Rattan hanging chairs are an affordable solution ensuring extra sitting space and entertainment.
Four pole hammocks are equipped with supports which makes their installation easy. They are quite wide offering space for two or three people.
Rocking is gentle ensured by the curved shape of the poles.
This metal outdoor extra is more or less a piece of modern art. Three metal circles interweave to create a 3D sphere resembling the Earth. In the center of the art piece, there is a semi-circle seat where one person can stretch and rock.
The soothing swing effect is combined with the comfort of a full size bed in this swinging day bed idea.
Suspending it to the pergola posts makes sure that shade covers the bed and prolongs the time spent outdoors during the hot summer days.
Hammock beds can also be suspended to large trees.
This bed idea is a DIY project that will turn the backyard into a dreamy spot.
The basis is a wooden frame equipped with a thick cushion for improved comfort. Suspension is ensured with strong rope keeping each corner of the day bed secured and levelled.
This structure us called Infinity Hammock because of the round metal supports.
The hammock extra features a modern look combined with functionality offering three hammocks.
In case your backyard is small and there aren’t any old trees, you can still have a hammock. Suspension is replaced by a rigid wooden support. Its curved shape ensures rocking to the left and right.
House pillars are very rigid parts of the house structure which makes them perfect to hang hammocks.
Another advantage of the location is the shade thrown by the porch ceiling.
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Citrus peels can be recycled in so many ways. There are a number of recipes related to skincare or household remedies. In addition to these, citrus peels can be very helpful for garden living.
Let’s take a look at 8 amazing uses of citrus peels for your garden.
Citrus peels can be composted. Adding them to the soil ensures a doze of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium which are nutrients for future seedlings.
Cut the peels into small pieces before adding them to the compost.
Go eco-friendly and use lemon, orange or grapefruit peels as starter pots. Instead of buying plastic starters, you can plant seeds into the halves of these fruits.
If you have pets, then you know how difficult it is to keep them away from the vegetable and herb garden. You can try solving this with citrus peels as pets don’t like their smell.
Cut the peels into small pieces and place them around the plants. You can also add used coffee grounds to make the smell more intense.
As already mentioned citrus peels are a source of beneficial nutrients. Added to the soil, the peels contribute to enriching the soil with potassium, magnesium, calcium and nitrogen.
Cut the peels into pieces or blend them into your blender to turn them into powder.
Next time you eat lemons, oranges or grapefruits, gather the peels together and throw them into the firepit.
Once you light the fire, you will feel the fresh smell of the citrus peels.
Lemon peels can be very helpful for all your garden plants that grow in acid soil. Put the peels into an oven or let them dry in fresh air.
Grind them into a blender and then sprinkle the powder over the soil. It will acidify the soil and will contribute to a better growing environment for your plants.
Fruit peels are also very helpful in the fight against insects, especially flies. Combine the citrus smell with cloves and you have a natural repellent.
Ants can damage the soil of your plants. To repel them, use fruit peels to keep them away. The oil in orange, lemon or grapefruit is toxic to ants.
Instead of spraying a pesticide that can be harmful to humans and pets, use this eco-friendly bio-repellent.
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The backyard landscaping makes a hint to the level of sophistication of the interior. Seeing an organized, differentiated and decorated backyard instantly speaks about the design skills of the home owners and their feel for affection with their home.
The good looking backyard, being the first thing a guest sees, also creates the first impressions and they should be for a comfortable and welcoming home.
With the next backyard ideas we will reveal 15 of most impressive ways to upgrade the outdoor area.
Water features act like magnets for people and wildlife. Creating a small pond, a waterfall or installing a fountain in the backyard could be a way to give the landscape character and a more relaxing flair.
Surround the water feature with river rocks and rock garden plants to complete the nook.
If you have a mature tree in your backyard, you can be called lucky. In addition to its majestic beauty, the tree is also a starting point to create a relaxing corner.
You can install a hammock on its branches or arrange a sitting corner below its thick crown. The natural shade will ensure that time spent outdoors is cool and calm.
If you want to make the nook more exciting, you can install strings of lights, lanterns and other hanging decorations.
Decorate the walkway curving through your backyard with a wooden arc. Plant climbing roses or other varieties next to the supports to let them weave around them and “build” a blooming living arc.
This feature will cost you almost nothing, especially if there is leftover lumber, but at the same time will upgrade the overall look of the backyard and will improve the curb appeal.
There is an idea for every garden space, even the tiniest one. With a tiered flower stand like the one shown here, you can have your small herb or flower garden in a small corner.
The vertical layout ensures a compact size and plenty tiered space where the pots can be placed.
Want a fairytale garden? You can do it if you make a planting plan. Gather seedlings of as many flowers as you can and arrange them in a pattern.
Roses, jasmine, lavender, sunflowers in combination with short evergreen shrubs make an amazing living carpet that will provide texture and color to the green lawn.
Decking comes in help when the backyard is uneven. It is a cost-effective way to straighten the terrain and ensure a leveled space for an outdoor sitting corner.
You can make it from composite decking boards, pallet slats, PVC or pressure-treated wood.
Make a comfortable living outdoor area where you can have a meal, a drink or a nice chat with your family or friends.
Invest in furniture and shelter so that there isn’t any obstacle to the pleasantly spent time outdoors. Decorate with flower pots, strings of lights and other decorations that are suitable for the interior. They will make the atmosphere homier and welcoming.
If you have defined the backyard into sectors, you can add a pergola to visually unite them. Being part of the garden decor, it will be clever to cover the pergola’s sides with trellises where roses or other climbing plants can develop and create a whimsy garden transition.
The tiered look of this fountain resembles a waterfall as if nature has created it. The sloping terrain has provided the perfect set for a waterfall surrounded by a rock garden.
Why having a waterscape has become so popular? Some people want it to listen to the murmuring sound of water, others want to attract songbirds, dragonflies and frogs. Nevertheless, a water feature can instantly transform the backyard design and certainly turns into a focal point.
Adding a staircase to the garden is a way to visually enlarge a garden and give it structural depth. Complete the staircase with short retaining walls on either side of it and decorate the surroundings with flower pots.
The material of the staircase depends on the existing decor. A country-style garden will embrace a wooden staircase while an English type of garden will match brick or tile stairs.
A stone staircase is also an option if there is a paver walkway or concrete stepping stones or tiles.
Repurposing items into garden decor gives the landscape an outstanding character and unique effect. Galvanized tubs can become ponds, flower pots, herb gardens, or a waterfall. Old chests of drawers stay opened to hold cascading flowers.
That broken chair is given a new life with fresh and bright paint color to hold a tuft of blooming flowers. The broken birdbath can be repurposed into a flower stand to add a pop of bright color to the green background.
It is always a good idea to plan in advance the planting. With that, you will assure that there are colorful blooms all the time.
Use shrubs and ornamental grass to give the garden a character. You can also use a pattern for planting which will make the result more harmonious.
credit: Isabelle Cloutier
It is time to turn that trodden soil pathway in the garden into a beautiful walkway. If you have postponed that for so many years because you think that it will take up a fortune, actually, this outdoor feature is one of the most affordable ones if you make it yourself.
The walkway is not only functional to cross the garden without damaging any of the plants but also a visual attraction that divides the flower garden or the lawn parts.
A stepping stone walkway is another great and affordable backyard idea that will instantly upgrade the overall look of your property. There is a number of DIY stepping stone ideas – from mosaic ones, flagstone walkways to concrete steps with interesting shapes made with ready-made or natural molds.
The edging is the perfect way to define the lawn and the flower garden. You can make the edge with river rocks, bricks, logs, gravel or any other natural material.
When the edge is already in place, you will see how much maintained and in shape your backyard looks.
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Is your garden space too small to release your green thumb creativity? The small space is no longer a problem with our 14 Stunning Ideas To Save Gardening Space.
We are here to inspire you to make your outdoors unique and beautiful and to leave your imprint on the landscape. All of the ideas here are DIY, with affordable or free materials and customizable to fit your outdoor space.
The old but beautiful chest of drawers may not be very storage useful anymore but that isn’t a reason to throw it away because we have an inspiring idea of how to repurpose it. Turn it into a layered vertical garden for succulents.
This vertical planter is space-saving and its rustic look will add a touch of nostalgia to the outdoor space.
Vertical planters are very practical for small garden areas or for decoration of covered patio or porch.
You don’t have to go to the garden stores and look for a suitable planter. You can do it easily yourself as long as you have one pallet and pipe brackets.
Screw the brackets to the pallet slats configuring the best alignment pattern based on the flower pots you are about to insert into them.
For an enhanced rustic look, leave the pallet wood untreated. In case your outdoor nook is missing a touch of bright color, this vertical planter can add it if you paint the wood.
This is another great landscape idea for small garden spaces. Instead of placing flower pots in the ground and cover the precious walkway space, you can stack them vertically.
The flower pedestal is a tiered flower stand. It can be built from wood, metal or plastic tubes. Choosing the right flower kinds ensures that the stand remains unvisible. The final result is a colorful blooming column.
The plastic door organizers from the Dollar Tree can be used in numerous ways. They are great for neat storage of shoes, scarves, jewelry and also amazingly functional as planters.
Fill each pocket with soil and plant the desired variety. You can create a dedicated herb garden to enjoy the scent and flavor of freshly cut spices.
This outdoor decor idea is easy to make and saves plenty of garden space.
To make these trellis-like flower stands you need thin slats or bamboo sticks. Assemble them in the pattern shown in the image and then fix to the exterior wall with hardware.
Galvanized buckets with hooks match perfectly the wood texture of the stand.
Rock gardens can be made in the size upu desire. In case you are limited in space but at the same time want a rock garden with a wide range of plant varieties, then go for a spiral pattern.
Rock gardens are easy to maintain and at the same time create a lovely focal point in the garden.
Repurpose the old painter’s ladder into a flower stand. No need to do any upgrades. In fact, the more weathered it is, the bigger its country effect is.
This type of vertical stand is perfect for herb pots or cascading flowers.
Wicker baskets are suitable for indoor and outdoor space-saving solutions. Do you wonder how to repurpse them into planters so that the rattan doesn’t rot from water?
Add garden liner to the bottom of the baskets and then fill with soil.
To make the baskets tiered, get a strong and thick rope and thread it through the rattan.
Cinder blocks are a universal material for outdoor features. You can build a firepit, edge a garden, create benches or stack them vertically to build a dual-function fence.
This garden space-saving idea has a modern look with the mismatched alignment of the cinder blocks.
Fill the holes of the blocks with soil and plant succulen or herbs. Their roots are shallow and are suitable for such planters.
With this DIY garden space-saving idea, you can build a wall acting as a planter.
The supplies you need are cedar posts, chicken wire, and terra cotta pots. Hang the pots with hooks. If the pots are arranged as tight as possible to each other, the vertical planter will also become a living privacy wall.
The pyramid type of strawberry planters are very efficient. First, the pyramid structure takes up little space from the garden. Using the space vertically ensures multiple layers for planting. That ends in more harvest from a square inch compared to ground planting in the same size of space.
Thanks to the pyriamid design each strawberry seedling receives equal light amount.
This compact her garden will add a fresh rustic touch to the porch walls. It is very compact, customaziable and very easy to make.
You can start the herbs from seeds planted directly in the jars. Make sure that the vertical garden receives enough indirect light.
These upside down planters are going to be the star of your interior or exterior! Any plant can be hung like this. The key to the magic is to repurpose a plastic bottle or a tin can into a pot.
Cut the bottom with a can opener and drill holes. One of the holes will be for the hook, the rest for watering. Put the bottom back to its place and seal generously with strong tape. On the upper side of the bottle or the can put a coffee filter and take the plant leaves out of its central hole carefully. Seal with tape.
The final step is to decorate the pots to give them an appealing look.
If you have pieces of rain gutters left, you can turn them into planters. This tiered garden idea is perfect to add to the end of the porch. It will double its function also as a privacy wall.
