DIY & Projects
Hello! Here in “DIY & Projects” you’ll find all our favorite projects we have completed here at our urban homestead. Simply scroll down this page to see all our DIY articles. If you are looking for a particular project, like one you may have seen on my Instagram, feel free to use the search icon above or select a subcategory from the drop down menu. Enjoy ♥
![Protecting Fruit in an Backyard Garden](https://i0.wp.com/freckledcalifornian.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/protecting-strawberries-with-cover.jpg?resize=1080%2C675&ssl=1)
Protecting Fruit in an Backyard Garden
It's the beginning of July, and the garden is rewarding me for months, arguably years, of planning and hard work. All the fruits we planted in the last few years are finally producing and giving us a taste of how our backyard homestead will be in the coming years. The...
![A Native Garden Designed for Pollinators](https://i0.wp.com/freckledcalifornian.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/native-garden-update-scaled.jpg?resize=1080%2C675&ssl=1)
A Native Garden Designed for Pollinators
Bring on the pollinators! Six years of gardening in this space and we FINALLY got around to this empty patch of grass in our backyard. For the last few years I've been interested in CA native plants, so when the opportunity came to create a new garden space in our...
![How to Test Seed Viability & Germinate Seeds Quickly](https://i0.wp.com/freckledcalifornian.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/testing-seed-viability-with-coffee-filter.jpg?resize=1080%2C675&ssl=1)
How to Test Seed Viability & Germinate Seeds Quickly
It's seed starting season! What an exciting time of year for gardeners! Today I'm going to share a quick and easy way to kickstart the germination process using a paper towel or coffee filter. This is also a simple test for seed viability if you aren't sure your seeds...
![DIY Fabric Garden Covers](https://i0.wp.com/freckledcalifornian.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/potager-garden-with-fabric-row-cover-diy.jpg?resize=1080%2C675&ssl=1)
DIY Fabric Garden Covers
From the very beginning of my gardening journey, I'd managed to need very few tools or supplies to grow. I'm typically a "use what you have" gardener, but I'm always grateful for the tools that I do purchase that make my life easier. These DIY garden covers are simply...
![Grow Your Own Everlastings: Flowers for Growing & Drying](https://i0.wp.com/freckledcalifornian.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/easy-everlastings-to-grow-such-as-bunny-tail-grass-globe-amaranth-and-strawflower-scaled.jpg?resize=1080%2C675&ssl=1)
Grow Your Own Everlastings: Flowers for Growing & Drying
Are you ready learn about some of the most incredible flowers ever?! I've been dabbling in growing everlasting flowers for the last several years, and I seriously considered dedicating an entire flower patch to them every year because they are so worthwhile,...
![Calendula Whipped Body Butter DIY Recipe](https://i0.wp.com/freckledcalifornian.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Nourishing-Calendula-Whipped-Body-Butter-Using-Mango-Butter-1.jpg?resize=1080%2C675&ssl=1)
Calendula Whipped Body Butter DIY Recipe
You might remember this post on Instagram where I talk about the dreams I had of actually using my calendula oil. In the past, I'd take the time to infuse the oil, but would get too lazy to purchase additional ingredients. Also, I was always worried I'd make something...
![How to Make Calendula Infused Oil](https://i0.wp.com/freckledcalifornian.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/how-to-diy-calendula-infused-oil-title-1.jpg?resize=1080%2C675&ssl=1)
How to Make Calendula Infused Oil
Calendula flowers are the star of my cool season garden here in Southern California, but I grow calendula for so much more than its dazzling color and cheery demeanor. Calendula Officinalis is medicinal, healing, soothing, and gentle on skin. While there are many ways...
![Garden DIY Projects Using Branches, Sticks & Twigs](https://i0.wp.com/freckledcalifornian.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/pruned-branches.jpg?resize=1080%2C675&ssl=1)
Garden DIY Projects Using Branches, Sticks & Twigs
Many of you know that I am always looking for ways to add a little whimsy to my backyard garden. One way I do this is to create my own garden structures and supports. Luckily, the more fruit trees we add to our space, the more we accumulate pruned branches and sticks...