Learn how to attract more wildlife to your garden with our natural garden ideas, from brightly coloured birdhouses to eye-catching decorative features. Then, refresh fences, sheds and wooden garden furniture with Cuprinol Garden Shades to create a unique and playful colour scheme. Let’s get started.
What is a nature garden?
A nature garden includes plants and habitats where wildlife can thrive. Depending on your preference, this could be flowers, potted plants, grasses or trees. No matter your garden size, we’re here to help you create a nature garden that’s sustainable, easy to maintain and enhances the look and feel of your outdoor space.
How to build a bee house
An insect hotel, or ‘air bee and bee’, provides shelter for all kinds of bugs. Bees and other pollinators are vital in gardens, helping plants to thrive, so why not give them an inviting place to stay?
To build a bee house, you will need:
- Cuprinol Ducksback in your chosen shade
- Wood pallet
- Hand saw
- 3 x flat head nails
- Sandpaper
- Woodcare brush
- Straw, pine cones, hessian bags or natural dried grasses
- Chicken wire
- 8-10 metal pins
- Wire clippers
Then, follow these simple steps to assemble everything.
1. Create an open box
Cut one end off the pallet so you have an H-shaped structure. Then, use the offcuts to add wood to one side of the frame, creating an open box. Once you’re happy with the placement, nail the lengths of wood in place to secure.
2. Sand and paint
Sand the box to remove splinters and create a smooth surface. Then, apply a coat of Cuprinol Ducksback in your preferred shade. Once the first coat has dried, apply a second coat for colour depth and added protection.
3. Fill with natural materials
Fill the box with natural materials like straw, pine cones, hessian bags and natural dried grasses to create a cosy, dry haven for insects.
4. Add chicken wire
To complete the bug hotel, fix chicken wire to the open side of the box using metal pins and wire clippers. This will allow insects to crawl inside while keeping the natural materials in place.
How to make a fairy garden
Fairies at the bottom of the garden do exist – so why not give them a fun home? This easy DIY fairy garden will capture children’s imaginations and impress adults!
Here’s what you’ll need:
- Cuprinol Garden Shades in your choice of colour
- Paintbrush
- Terracotta pot
- Moss, pebbles and twigs
- Garden trowel
- Compost
- Fairy and animal mini figurines
Then, follow these steps to bring your fairy garden to life.
1. Paint a terracotta pot
Use Cuprinol Garden Shades to paint your plant pot in your favourite shade or create a unique design with multiple colours.
2. Forage for moss, pebbles and twigs
Find moss, pebbles and twigs around your outdoor space to decorate your fairy garden and give it a forest-like appearance. Add some compost to the pot, then assemble your foraged moss, pebbles and twigs.
3. Decorate your fairy garden
Now for the fun part – decorating! Get as creative as you like when adding the finishing touches to your fairy garden with mini figurines, whether animals or mythical creatures.
How to paint a garden birdhouse
Fairies at the bottom of the garden do exist – so why not give them a fun home? This easy DIY fairy garden will capture children’s imaginations and impress adults!
Birdhouses are an excellent garden addition, providing a place for birds to shelter or feed. To spruce up a wooden birdhouse with fun colours, you’ll need:
- A selection of Cuprinol Garden Shades tester pots
- Paint brushes
- Hooks for hanging your newly painted bird boxes
Then, follow these steps to revamp your birdhouse.
1. Paint your birdhouse
Apply one coat of your chosen colour to the main body of your bird box. Use a contrasting shade to paint the bird box’s roof, making it stand out, or paint a fun design. Once the first coat of paint has dried, add a second coat and leave it to dry completely.
2. Hang the birdhouse
When the paint has dried, you can hang your bird box using hooks and string to secure it to a garden shed or fence.
How to create natural garden hooks
Sticks and twigs make great hooks for hanging garden tools and equipment while adding more natural materials to your outdoor space. Here’s what you’ll need for this simple yet effective DIY:
- Your chosen Cuprinol Garden Shades colour
- Woodcare brush
- Natural twig
- Sandpaper
- Paintbrush
- An old leather belt
- Leather punch
- Pencil
- Sharp scissors
- 2 x mirror screws
- Screwdriver
- 5 x hanging hooks
- Tape measure
Then, follow these steps to make your natural garden hooks.
1. Clean and sand the twig
Remove dirt or debris from the twig using a dry paintbrush or woodcare brush. Then, sand the twig gently with sandpaper to smooth over any sharp edges and remove splinters.
2. Paint with Cuprinol Garden Shades
Apply a light coat of Cuprinol Garden Shades in your preferred colour. This allows the natural wood texture to stand out underneath the paint.
3. Attach the leather belt
Once the paint is dry, create two loops from an old leather belt at either end. Add an extra hole to line up the top of the loops, then secure with mirror screws.
4. Hang in place
Attach the mirror screws to the wall, and your new hook is ready to use! We recommend choosing a sheltered, dry area to prevent damage. Use S-shaped hanging hooks to store your garden tools, aprons, gloves, and other equipment.
Visit our blog for even more DIY garden inspiration. With step-by-step guides and helpful demo videos, it’s easy to refresh your outdoor space with Cuprinol products.