In your garden

R E T N A L P D E D N E P S U S

A little DIY know-how, glorious greenery and a few litres of paint can very quickly and easily transform your ho-hum pokey patio into a little oasis of fabulousness!

HOW TO BUILD A HANGING PLANTER

CUT TIMBER BOARDS

Cut 110 x 19mm hardwood boards to your desired length. Or, as here, you could use free discarded timber pallets to provide the boards – if they ’ re sufficiently wide. Take the pallets apart with a pry bar and hammer, taking care not to split the wood by prying too hard.

MARK THE HOLES

For the rope holes, mark each corner on the boards 25mm in from the side and end. For your pots, trace four evenly spaced circles on each of the boards. The circles need to fit each pot’ s diameter (at about the halfway mark or just under the rim). Here, four 75mm diameter circles were made on each board to suit 10cm diameter terraco a pots.

MAKE THE HOLES Drill rope holes where marked, using a drill bit that’ s the same diameter as your rope, here 6mm. Cut holes for pots with a jigsaw. Using medium-grit then fine-grit sandpaper, sand the boards smooth to remove the risk of splinters.

HANG YOUR PLANTER Mount two zinc-plated ceiling hooks into an overhang (most likely the soffit), about 115cm apart. Working on one end of the boards at a time, loop a length of rope over each hook, then thread it through holes, making an overhand knot in the rope under each board as you go. If needed for length, tie pieces of rope together. Use a spirit level to check level of boards and adjust knots, if needed, leaving some rope loose at the bo om of hanger. Insert pre-planted pots in holes.

REVIVE CONCRETE FLOORING OR PAVERS WITH NON-SLIP PAVING PAINT. AS YOU’RE IN DIY MODE, NOW’S THE TIME TO PREP AND REPAINT YOUR EXTERIOR WALLS.

OUTDOOR ROOM REFRESH Though it requires a few power tools, you can easily recreate this hanging planter for po ed plants using wood planks and rope. It’ s a great DIY project for a beginner and sets the scene for a delightful spot for dining.

GO DIY ALL THE WAY BY USING A DROP CLOTH IN PLACE OF A TABLECLOTH.

BEFORE