Thrifty DIY projects

In the latest of our series, Toby Buckland shows how to make the most of old materials in the garden

Home DIY can bore or worry in equal measure but if you adopt the 'have-a-go' principle you'll find it's so much easier to get results.

Whether you're making paths, plant supports or raised beds, there's wriggle room to interpret and work up designs of your own. Make use of materials you might have to hand, like bricks stashed behind the shed or some lengths of old timber, and the alchemy of upcycling from 'rubbish' to a fit-for-purpose feature is incredibly satisfying. Of course, anything with serendipity in its DNA will save you money but don't make the mistake of mixing up economy with looking cheap. Like vintage clothing, a handmade cold frame crafted from quality materials can outlast anything shop-bought.

Age is a virtue, so features made from materials with a previous life will blend seamlessly with their surroundings if you get it right.

Three classic garden makes
Dig out some old timber and get started with these recycling ideas

Raised beds with character

Reuse chunky, pre-treated wood or old scaffold planks for easy and straightforward raised beds. To extend their working life, line the inside with plastic to keep the wood dry, and upgrade from timber pegs in the corners to metal fence spikes or 'L' shaped angle irons. These last for years and have the heft to hold the sides more firmly.

High-capacity compost heap

Four pallets of a similar size and some rope to lash the corners together are all you need to corral autumn leaves or bulky council green-waste compost.