DIY

While I was away the AMP built me this

No we haven't struck oil.  I had been lusting after an obelisk for some time and now I have one. The AMP comes from a long line of carpenters. Enough of the genes got through to make him very useful in the handyman department. 

Coincidentally a useful DIY book was waiting for me in the mailbox.

The Little Veggie Patch Co. DIY Garden Projects includes thirty-eight hands-on, step-by-step activities for creating useful structures for the garden.  Chapters include vertical gardening, garden basics, using recycled materials, and more, and there are projects for every skill level, from the novice gardener to those who seriously know their way around a circular saw.

Frustratingly there is a lot of visual clutter. I had to consciously avoid the peripheral kaleidoscope of speech bubbles, boxes, multiple colours and changing fonts. Once this was achieved the projects proved to be interesting and well thought out. The instructions were clear with each step following seamlessly. 

Building materials are expensive. This book removes the financial pain with smart and frugal ways to build just about anything in the garden. I could love it for this reason alone. There is more, however, notably the warm, breezy tone and enthusiasm for the subject which makes the book a refreshing read. 

The writers are based in Australia so some words are in Australian English but easy to figure out. I would recommend this book to anyone who, from desire or budget, builds their own structures. In fact I can't wait to get started.

The Little Veggie Patch Co. DIY Garden Projects

Matt Pember and Dillon Seitchik-Reardon

Hardie Grant, Publisher 2016

Photos: John Laurie