Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Style

6 simple projects to celebrate National Gardening Week

Leslie Anderson
By

National Gardening Week brings an opportunity for you and your family to share the simple joys of gardening. This activity has so many advantages, from improving mental and physical well-being to achieving that satisfaction of getting a project completed.

Furthermore, you don’t necessarily have to possess a “green thumb” to start a garden or to perform some simple garden maintenance. You could opt to maintain a few planters on the patio or designate a small corner of your backyard for some vegetables. If you’re looking for some inspiration for National Gardening Week 2021, we have some simple project ideas for you.

Recommended Videos

Introduce edibles into your flower bed

One project that’s always satisfying is planting a vegetable garden. However, you can take a simple and fun spin on this project by using existing space in a flower bed instead of creating a whole new vegetable patch in another area of your yard. For instance, strawberry plants double up as a beautiful ground cover if you already have rose bushes or taller plants. You’ll only have to plant one of these types of plants in the flower bed because, in a matter of weeks, the ground cover spreads rapidly with little maintenance other than watering. They won’t over-run your flowers either.

planting in a greenhouse
BJ Duang

Start a windowsill herb garden

Also, you can plant a few herbs. Even in a minimal indoor or outdoor space, you’ll have plenty of room for planting your own mini herb garden. Just get a few decorative planters or a long rectangular window box with holes at the bottom for drainage, some potting soil, and some pre-grown herbs from your local nursery or home improvement store. If you’re planning on growing the herbs indoors, you’ll need a tray to place under the planter. Otherwise, an outdoor window box already comes equipped for drainage. Either method provides the best gateway to introducing your own home-grown aroma and flavor to your kitchen.

Related

“Build” your own garden bench

Have you ever wondered what to do with that old end table or nightstand that’s taking up extra space? Why not refurbish it into a work stool? You can repaint or refinish it. Or you can also distress it with sandpaper. The result of repurposing this piece will give you a comfy place to sit while you tend to your simple garden maintenance duties. Also, as a bonus, you can use your new “bench” as a patio end table to place your drinks.

Create your own gardening toolbox labeled “National Gardening Week 2021”

Another fun and easy project is to take a toolbox that’s not already in use or purchase a small carrier of your choice to personalize your own gardening toolbox. Whether you use paint and stencils or one solid color that you love, this handy carrier will prove to be useful as you complete your simple garden maintenance.

 Elevate your garden

Another way to create an easy-to-maintain garden is by incorporating simple raised beds into your empty backyard space. All it takes is a couple of empty wooden or plastic crates or any other raised container that fits in with your yard’s decor. This project not only brings an aesthetic appeal to your yard, but it also means you may not have to bend so much while you enjoy planting.

raised containers with plants
Matteo Badini

Start your own (virtual) gardening club

Have you thought about hosting a meet-and-greet that’s centered around gardening? Whether you’re opting for in-person or virtual meetings, National Gardening Week 2021 is the best time to share knowledge to help others while showcasing your well-earned results to the world. You can do this on social media or in a small gathering with friends and family. It is also an opportunity to learn from others as well as meet up with fellow gardeners.

Simple garden maintenance might be the highlight of the week, but for the most part, you can try any of these ideas during any given time in spring or fall. Also, remember that you can craft planters any time of the year and save them for the sowing season. Plus, pre-grown plants tend to be the easiest start for vegetables and some shrubs. Whatever you decide to do for your home during National Gardening Week, it’s sure to be a fun and worthwhile project for the whole family.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
Leslie Anderson
Leslie Anderson
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Leslie Anderson is a freelance writer/writing coach from Roswell, N.M. She enjoys gardening, cooking, and helping students…
6 easy ways to update your home for under $500
Update your home with these inexpensive, easy projects
Couple painting white walls

When most homeowners think of renovations, they think of time-consuming projects that always run over budget. And often, they’re right. But updating your home doesn’t have to cost an arm and a leg. Tearing down cabinets and installing brand-new hardwood floors aren’t the only ways to up your home design game.

With a bit of planning and elbow grease, you can refresh your space with inexpensive home remodeling projects that will have a considerable impact. Here are six DIY home projects that you can easily complete for less than $500.

Read more
11 bad ideas for your front yard that will kill your curb appeal
Avoid these mistakes for your front yard
A front yard with xeriscape landscaping

You may be thinking about all the projects you want to tackle outdoors thanks to the warmer weather. While you may have grand plans to improve your curb appeal, taking the time and patience to properly land on a front yard design is important. If you want to ensure you're staying on trend and not dating your home, there are some common mistakes to avoid. These will help with the resale value of your home and leave you the envy of all your neighbors.
Landscaping mistakes
These are some common mistakes you'll want to avoid when thinking about landscaping your front yard.
Not having a game plan
One of the biggest mistakes is not having a plan when it comes to the design and layout of your landscaping. This can leave your yard feeling disjointed and your plants at risk of looking overgrown and out of place. Meet with a local garden expert or map out your front yard, including where all plants, trees, rocks, water features, and flowers will live. This will help ensure things don't look too busy or sparse, and it will make your yard feel well thought out.
Using the wrong plants
Understand which plants work for your exact yard. If they need full sun or partial shade, or require a lot of maintenance, it may be a disaster waiting to happen. Not only do you need to consider placement in terms of sunlight, but different flowers and plants have varying schedules of watering, so you want to know exactly what's expected before you plant them.
Too many decorations
Everyone loves a yard that changes with the season in terms of decor, but you can overdo it. You want to avoid garden decor that makes your front yard look tacky or cheap (we're talking to you, plastic deer), so keep decorations to a minimum.

Color pitfalls
We love color, but you need to be careful how and where you use it.
Choosing all one color
We love a monochromatic look as much as the next person, but your home should be welcoming and warm from the first glance. If you prefer having your house the same color as outdoor furniture and plants/flowers, use it as a backdrop. Add one or two pops of color with chair pillows or your front door to breathe a little life into your home.
Choosing too many colors
While it's good to have a little variety, you don't want to overwhelm the outside of your home. Bright colors may work in some parts of the country, but go easy on the rest of your choices. Picking one primary color and one contrasting color that complements it is the safest approach, especially if you're planning to sell your home.

Read more
9 easy and effective ways to clear a garden full of weeds for good
Use these weed removal and prevention methods when your garden is full of these intruders
Gloved hand holding a pulled weed with roots and soil still attached

Growing a pristine garden is a horticulturist's pride and joy. That makes a weed infestation a gardener's greatest nemesis. Weeds not only make your garden look messy and unkempt, but they also suck up a lot of nutrients from the soil and weaken your prized plants. That's why we're going to discuss how to clear a garden full of weeds so you can save your gorgeous outdoor space.

Sure, the best weed management method is prevention, working to tackle weeds before they sprout, but this isn't always possible. So, if your garden or lawn becomes overgrown with unwanted weeds, you'll need a game plan. This growing season, keep your garden lush and tidy with these tips and tricks for clearing a mountain of weeds (and some bonus tips for how to prevent them from returning).

Read more