2026 is the year for DIY and tackling those home improvements you’ve been putting off. Seize the new year by the horns by elevating your outdoor space and making the most out of your garden. There are so many ways you can get your fingers green this year, requiring little to no effort. Alternatively, suppose you want to tackle a more challenging project, the world is your oyster: there are plenty of DIY and organisational tasks you can sink your teeth into, transforming your outdoor space and making the neighbours grass-green with envy! It can be as simple as building a birdhouse or planting some bushes, or maybe your plans are more large-scale, like a complete relandscape. If you feel your garden lacks a little je ne sais quoi but can’t put your finger on what’s missing, we have a couple of gardening New Year's resolution ideas you can pursue in 2026.
Get Growing
Maybe you just need a bit more greenery in your life and the best way to do that is by installing some plants into your outdoor space. From laying down grass to establishing a vegetable patch, there is a lot of room to get creative. Start small by scattering wildflower seeds onto soft soil in early spring, or, if you want to push the boat out, plant a small tree or a rare plant. If you don’t have a garden, but have a balcony or courtyard, you can still inject a splash of colour by introducing potted plants. A lot of people are choosing to be more self-sufficient where they can, and a great way of doing that is by growing their own fruit and veg. Rhubarb, tomatoes, and various berries fare well in a British garden, as do apple trees (though slightly harder to tend to!). Root vegetables like carrots, potatoes, parsnips and swede are easy to grow in the temperate UK climate. Other classic grow-your-own garden veg include runner beans, cucumbers and lettuce.
Animal Sanctuary
Need something to keep the kids busy that’s educational at the same time? Why not transform your garden into a haven for wildlife? There are several crafty ways you can do this. By placing piles of logs, rocks and rotting wood around your garden, you will quickly and inexpensively provide the perfect shelter for small creatures like insects, mice, slow worms and hedgehogs. These kinds of structures are also known as bug hotels and can be comprised of other easy-to-source materials, like pine cones, clay tiles and dry leaves. Monitoring the wildlife that enters your garden can be a fun and instructive activity for kids and adults alike. Installing wildlife cameras next to birdhouses, bird baths, bug hotels and other animal attractions can teach you and your kids about the local environment, helping to grow a deeper appreciation for the world around us. To find out more about how you can transform your garden into an animal sanctuary, check out the National Trust’s recommendations here.
DIY Hero
Impress your neighbours this year by tackling some hands-on jobs, like construction projects. This can include installing a small pond with a water feature or even building a shed or log store. One relatively easy way to jazz up your outdoor area is by transforming it into an inviting hosting space. Think padded outdoor sofas with plush cushions and hanging solar-powered fairy lights, or maybe an outdoor dining table with matching seats. And you won’t need to worry about those outdoor fabrics getting damp and mouldy with Fabsil. Either directly protect your outdoor furniture with one of our Fabsil proofers or cover it with Fabsil-treated canvas or tarpaulin. Elevate this scene even further by constructing a fire pit surrounded by outdoor seating. DIY firepits are relatively inexpensive and straightforward to erect. If you’re feeling inspired, why not give it a go and have friends and family around to show off your handiwork? Forget Bob the Builder, you’ll be the real DIY Hero around these parts.
2026 is a brand-new year and a time to throw yourself headlong into a new project. If you’re struggling to get started, a simple job could be to jetwash your patio or decking after months of winter rains and dead leaves. It may not feel like it right now, but long, warm days spent lounging around the garden are coming. So why not take on a gardening DIY job this year and make 2026 one to remember?