Let’s face it, we can’t all be gardening Instagram influencers. But that doesn’t mean we can’t give our gardens a little makeover to set a beautiful backdrop for our next garden party. Try these DIY projects before your next soiree. 

String up some pole lights

We’ve all seen the Instagram pics of beautiful gardens dimly lit by string lights on a summer evening. But how can you get that setting without the hassle of setting them up every time you want to sit outside. Luckily, Toni Farmer shared with us her handy pole light tip: install PVC pipes in the ground around your yard so you can easily slip the poles in when you’re ready to entertain, and then easily remove them when you’re done. Watch the full demonstration here. 

Make your own water feature

There’s nothing like a melody of trickling water in the distance to set the mood for a cozy dinner party in the garden. Luckily, you don’t have to shell out hundreds of dollars – or take up half your garden – for an extravagant fountain. Get a large planter and an electric water pump, drill a hole in the bottom of the planter, then thread the pump chord through the hole. Fill the planter with water, plug the pump in and voila, you’ve got your own DIY fountain. For more detailed instructions, watch Toni Farmer and Marianne Aleardi make their own here. 

Deck out the table with flowers (that you grew yourself) 

It’s that simple. Your guests will be wowed by beautiful table accents that you grew just feet from the table. Plus, flowers are a perfect addition to your garden for attracting pollinators, so it’s a win-win. Some of our favorites are prairie docks, blue wild indigo and bee balm. 

Add a trellis 

Ok, this project is for sure DIY, but it’s not exactly an overnight kind of task. Add a trellis to your garden to get that beautiful waterfall-esque vine look with a raspberry plant or, if you’re going strictly for aesthetics, a wisteria plant. Just remember that you’ll need to give the plant time to grow over the trellis for that green and healthy background.