20 fun and easy outdoor and garden projects that take less than a day

Hanging baskets green up a pergola or patio fast, but for a lush effect in front of a wall or fence, planters work better.

Lengths of PVC guttering make great lightweight hanging planters and can be cut down to any size to suit the available space.

A plain sisal rug can be painted to make a colourful striped ground covering.

One of the toughest natural fibres, sisal is ideal for outdoor living.

Create leaf-shaped garden pavers in just a day and use them to lay a stepping stone path in the lawn.

To make the pavers, take a simple concrete cast from rhubarb leaves.

Rhubarb leaves are a good choice for pavers because of their size.

A great way to bring living colour to a small outdoor area without taking up floorspace is to add a floating shelf with cutouts for pots.

Made from primed LOSP pine, this shelf is built using 220 x 220mm timber verandah brackets, about $12 each, from hardware stores.

Turn an old pair of gumboots into fun containers for growing herbs or plants on the kitchen doorstep, a small balcony or in the garden.

Add a fun touch to garden pathways while making them visible at night with glow-in-the-dark paint.

To make a path glow, apply a base coat of the clear sealer, then sprinkle the supplied flakes over the surface, finishing with another clear top coat.

When kids are jumping and playing on the trampoline, it’s easy for them to be pinched by the metal springs that surround the mat.

To protect the kids and decorate the trampoline, cover the springs with foam.

Simply trim pool noodles to size, then cut along the length with a utility knife, and wrap around the springs.

Create a simple decorative outdoor feature with an old tin, a leafy herb and a distressed picture frame.

Take an old timber frame and add decorative trim as a hanger for a potted plant.

Use any tin you have or look for a vintage one in op shops.

Cushions are a must-have for outdoor living, but remembering to bring them indoors whenever it rains can be a chore.

To make cushions waterproof, remove the insert and slip it into a resealable plastic bag, then replace it in the cover.

Make eye-catching new house numbers using artificial turf. All you will need for this project are your house numbers, turf, glue and a utility knife.