DIY Backyard Overhaul, Decor It Yourself

I built a nice above ground pond that can be taken down when you move. It has a wide edge for sitting and admiring the little fishies. Cover with black mesh to keep the raccoons et al from eating the fish. Picture here: http://nurseknits.blogspot.com/2005/10/fishy-happiness.html we used landscape timbers, drilled holes about 3three inches from each end, and stacked them over lengths of rebar. Because we had a dirt base, we pounded the rebar into the ground for added stability. An old piece of carpet cushions the pond liner, which you should not trim untill after the water has been in for a while. Wide boards trim the top. Still going strong five years later.

sweet backyard, since its stone you could totally paint it and add like an above ground pond easily ^_^ maybe a little rock garden or ferns ^_^ My backyard is a bramble because of metal fencing T_T no matter what we do it looks aweful, not to mention when we clear away the weeds we see our neighbors yards...which are less than breathtaking >.>

P.S Of course our Meg rescues helpless animals... isn't she (Meg) a darling?

Thank you Meg! I was a lil scared to return (after sucking the comments into my vortex of words, lol) so I waited a while, heh... I heard you're "getting hitched" so congrats!!! And I wish you both all the best, and I know your wedding will rock! You deserve a break too, cause we all know Threadbangin' ain't easy, lol ;)

Never apologize, I LOVE the comments and feedback. Bring on the novella! I also am way down with the bench idea. I would love to start making my own furniture. I am very new at carpentry, but am really excited about learning more. Thanks SneekyLily. I once had a rescued dove named Lily and she was a good little friend. Great name.

sorry about that Meg, I had to split it up it was sooo huge!!! after I did it, I had the idea I should have just put it in the forum....sorry!!! I will do so next time!

or use some chain links. The possibilities are endless! & before I have a novel on my hands I will shush...lol, sorry about that, just had a creative storm there! I know how you feel, I live in a tiny place (can't you tell?? lol) with a pretty pathetic excuse for a "yard" in my patio & 3 square feet of dirt! I just wanted to help a fellow nature-lover being forced to live in a teeny weeny urban space, & I hope I did!? Love your stuff Meg!!! XOX

and 2. don't mind poking holes in your container) for a more aesthetic look! You can crotchet thick yarn, or thin cut fabric scraps tied together, or even plastic bags that have been modified into "yarn" (google it if you like the idea, it's everywhere & great for Mother Earth!) & then use your crochet basket to hang you vessel with! or, you could simply use some twine (be careful of certain synthetics and pure cotton, the sun bleaches them brittle and then you got your basket crashing down on some poor passer-by!)

(get some heavy duty screw-in hooks rated for weight at the hardware store, they are cheap and the staff is helpful & can tell you which hooks are best to use for this...use a big nail & hammer it in to get the hole started) and you can have tomatoes, strawberries, mixed herbs, flowers, whatever likes life in containers! I have used old milk jugs (with holes punched for drainage) coffee cans, ice cream buckets, 2-liter bottles, or you could even take a tip from Meg & use vintage vessels (if you 1. are handy with a drill & the vessel is "drillable" ceramic, comes to mind

and a plank to sit on...or, even throw a plank on some cinder blocks (painted up pretty?) or old phone books (duct taped together & again painted?) best part is, you can move it easy, & throw some pillows and blankets on it! you could also use the space under it for storage of your outdoor grill stuff, misc. container garden stuff; like fertilizer, water can, etc., and another idea I have done; is to use hanging baskets

Would a lil bench fit? they are soo easy to make too, three pieces of wood on the underside, (make sure one's in the middle for support!) :--:--:

What do you do if you are trying to grow food on you patio but "pests" keep getting to them. Birds squirrels and maybe even mice!!! ( I am on a ground floor.) That was last year, sad to say no harvest. Soooo this year I have not started. I dont have the heart to, plus it was money down the drain. I want to try but what do I do??

Great episode! And completely off topic but since you visited your future in laws it made me wonder if you are planning your own wedding? I'm sure you'll do as much DIY as possible. Just curious cause even though I'm not getting married anytime soon...I love watching DIY wedding shows... That dog...GAH!

Plants not only dig coffee (some of them), but they really dig coffee grinds! I've used coffee grinds in gardens and more recently found this web page, which lists quite a number of ways to put those grinds to use...because I NEVER have coffee left over :) http://www.sustainableenterprises.com/Business/coffeefert.htm

For those of you with second floor balconys- think up. You can build or repupose a shelf that is not too deep. Against a wall or railing, the upper shelves get full sun and the lower ones get partial. Read the tags on your flowers and you can fill up the shelves with stuff that will flourish. How about a cool colorful planter box for each shelf? For fencing consider snow fence. It is beautiful, light weight and easy to hang.

You always make me smile :) and i love every single one of your ideas. You made such a hard, urban area look homey and earthy :D i love it!

Meg, I so appreciated the gardening segment! Loved the idea of using a tree stump for a little table and an old grill for a planter - clever and unique ways to recycle!

I was having a really crappy day, but your videos always make me enjoy at least those five minutes of the day.

organic wood and nails only

For the viewer who's planning a fire pit - try using the inside drum from a washing machine. Keeps the fire in place and gives new life to an old machine part.

Hmmm we need a watery something... I dont know, I think running water is peaceful, and maybe we can make a cost effective pretty looking small fountain that can be solar powered... maybe we need Brett on this one? Well I've been aching to do something with ribbon, maybe something cool/

Great show meg! I have a very small balcony but can use your planter idea to build one that will fit! Thanks!

What a terrific episode. I enjoyed everything about it. The bamboo screen was especially clever. Keep up the good work!

The wood WAS recycled. That piece was from an old building site in the neighborhood that got discarded. The entire planter was made out of wood that would have been thrown out. The sticker was engrained in it and wouldn't come off. Why be judgmental if you are unclear on your information? No need. Threadbanger is for spreading good, positive energy. Thanks!

buying "supplies" (new chairs, "repurposed" wood with the tag still on it, the fence partition) is doing the exact opposite of what it is you are trying to accomplish. DO IT YOURSELF? RECYCLE? but i do love the window box. great color.

I love that idea! Yesterday i was trying to get to my deck but didnt want to step on the grass. i rele wished i had stepping stones then i though MOSIACS!! it would be really cool of you to do a show on how to make mosaic stepping stones!

Love it!!! Can't wait to see the new and improved backyard! I also love the shade of blue that you picked - it looks great with all of the colorful flowers. I don't have a backyard and am very envious of your new back patio. Can't wait to try it out! xoxo

I would love it if you would feature the book 'Trash to Treasure.' I just got it at the library today while trying to find 108 Ways to Transform Your T-Shirt. I obviously didn't find it but this other book is great! (: There are even a few projects that I think are show worthy (Eco-Friendly Bird Feeders, Rattan Hanging Baskets, how to dress up your old glass honey and soda bottles instead of throwing them out, and how to turn (adorable) tiny perfume bottles into lapel pins.)

bravo on repurposing those broken grills as planters! i love your show!

Loving the transformation! What a great big space that you can keep on including in your home decoring! :) I sure am envious of those with a back yard, or even a balcony. All I can do is look at my neighbors and wish they were you so that the back yard would be so pleasing to look out upon! Nice work Meg!

Come on over, Handstand!

wow, way to transform that space... it looks so inviting! let's hang out!!!

Meg, I LOVE your patio! Can't wait to see it!! Loved the screening between the 2 yards!!

great idea, how about growing tomatoes

Awesome show. I wonder if the planter box were scaled down and lined with plastic, could it be use indoors? I don't have a patio :(

Meg, love the patio. I love my yard but I'm secretly envious that you don't have to mow and water a lawn... For MY 2 cents: how about an outdoor rug to add some color and keep the hot concrete from toasting your toes? You could buy a cheap one and use tape and spraypaint to create a design that goes with your other outdoor gear.

I'm diggin the planters. Another option for plants, instead of flowers, are vegetables and herbs. You can enjoy the greenery, and (hopefully) eat them too. That's my 2 cents. Meg is the new (much cooler) Martha!

I love what you did with your patio! In my apartment complex, we only have very small decks and since I live on the 2nd floor I don't get the luxury of having a semi-"yard" like the people below me. My small charcoal grill seems to take up most the space (1/4-1/3 of my deck). Any suggestions on how to make a small deck feel bigger and be a good place to relax on the nice summer days? (Oh, and a table and chairs won't fit out there very well so it basically has to be pillows or blankets to sit on).