I have some vigorous growing bamboo in my garden left from the previous owner. For a long time I wanted to find the time and do something about it, use it in an efficient way. Bamboos are desirable plants for a garden if you control the spread. I also have a willow that needs to be pollarded once a year and a hazel tree that needs to be kept in shape. So, instead of disposing the cut-off branches in a landfill site for recycling, I thought it was time for some nice creative projects of my own. For instance, I’d repurpose the invasive bamboo in my garden and make a bamboo screen.

How About Some DIY Ideas to Help You Grow Your Best Garden?

• CHESTNUT STAKE FENCING / FRENCH SHEEP FENCE

  How about creating a fence with chestnut poles? It’s relatively easy to erect and the good news is that If installed correctly it can last for years. It’s also cost-effective and you can reposition or move the fence at any time if you need to. Great for perimeter fencing, entrances, or defining garden boundaries. And they will make your garden look very attractive. Last year my dad helped me to take out the old fence (see the before picture). We then installed a hit and miss fence made of chestnut (see the after picture). It only took us a Saturday morning to complete it and the hardest part was to put the posts into the ground (my dad helped with that). A great little project that will change your garden’s character for the better.

• BAMBOO SCREEN

Bamboo is considered an environmentally friendly option (fast-growing grass) and with proper care, they can last many years. They are stronger than some types of wood and therefore a good choice for fencing or screens. For my garden, I used an old fence made of a steel frame, which the previous owner had left behind. I used the steel frame as a base and added the bamboo sticks on it. I just cut them off 1 cm above the ground. I removed the thinner top and a few side shots. The branches dry very quickly and they become very strong. My bamboo screen is still a work in progress but I enjoy working on it when I have the time. I find it to be a very relaxing, almost meditative task to knot the stakes together (see picture on the left).

I got the inspiration from this old book about Japanese gardens design, called A Japanese Touch for Your Garden by Kiyoshi Seike (see picture on the left).

• RAISED BEDS

  Raised beds can be as creative or as simple as you want them to be. There are so many options and design ideas depending on your garden’s character and space (see the wooden beds on the right picture). They can be made out of wood or stone or recycled materials.

  And, guess what? I also inherited a few raised beds made out of polyester from the previous garden owner. They are functional, but as you can imagine polyester beds don't look nice. So I decided to use the willow branches to create a cover around the polyester frame (see pictures below). Branches from hazel trees or willows are also great for weaving projects. The best time to cut or pollard a willow is in February or March before the new leaves come out. The best time to cut the hazel branches is the end of February or June.

  Raised beds are a great idea not only because they look nice and neat but also because you can easily check the quality of the soil. And better soil makes for healthier plants.

A garden project is so much fun, you get to create something beautiful, you get to spend time outdoors, recycle, reuse, rearrange, exercise, find peace of mind. And at the end of the project, you’ll also have a beautiful garden. You can even ask a friend or family member to help you and have some fun while you’re spending time together in nature.

If you need help with getting your small garden projects going, or if you’d like to find out which improvements will work for your space, contact Botaniq for a consultation!

Content Editor Sofia Simeonidou