Summer BBQs, warm evenings, and backyard catch-ups are around the corner, but nothing creates last-minute stress like realising your garden looks messy, unfinished, or unprepared just as guests arrive.

The good news? A few simple DIY upgrades can completely transform your outdoor space, making it look clean, structured, and entertainer-ready with minimal effort.

Two of the easiest and most effective improvements you can make are landscape edging and gabion features, both available at StrataGreen. These upgrades instantly elevate your garden’s look without needing professional installation.

Step 1: Clean & Declutter the Backyard

A clean garden instantly feels more welcoming, more spacious, and more intentional.

Tidy-Up Checklist

• Remove old or broken pots

• Pull out dead plants and remove garden waste

• Rake leaves and fallen branches

• Clear cobwebs from outdoor furniture

• Declutter unused or bulky items

Lawn & Hard Surface Care

• Mow the lawn and trim edges

• Use a whipper snipper along fences and pathways

• Pressure wash pavers, concrete, or decking to remove stains or moss

• Sweep pathways and tidy around the entry to the entertaining area

Create Clear Zones

• Open up areas where guests will walk

• Make space around the BBQ so people can safely gather

• Declutter seating zones to improve flow and comfort

A tidy backyard sets the stage for your landscaping upgrades to really shine.

Step 2: Define Your Garden with Landscape Edging

If there’s one DIY project that instantly makes your garden look professionally finished, it’s landscape edging. StrataGreen’s Formline Edging is designed to create clean, modern, structured borders that make a huge difference with minimal effort.

Why Landscape Edging Makes Such a Difference

• Creates sharp, tidy borders

• Prevents grass from creeping into garden beds

• Holds mulch neatly in place

• Improves drainage and garden shape

• Helps separate materials: lawn, gravel, mulch, stone

• Makes your garden look structured and intentional

Proper edging turns uneven, messy garden lines into smooth curves or straight geometric shapes, whatever suits your style.

Where to Use Landscape Edging

• Around garden beds

• Along pathways

• Surrounding the BBQ zone

• Separating lawn from mulch or gravel areas

How to Install Formline Edging (3-5 Steps)

1. Mark out the border using string or spray paint.

2. Dig a shallow trench along the line.

3. Place the Formline edging into the trench.

4. Secure with stakes and ensure levels are correct.

5. Backfill with soil or mulch to finish.

Simple, fast, and instantly more polished.

Step 3: Add Eye-Catching Features Using Gabion Kits

Gabions are one of the most versatile DIY landscaping solutions, strong, modern, fire-resistant, and surprisingly easy to assemble. StrataGreen’s Rhinoweld Gabion Kits are made for creating stylish, structural features at home.

Why Gabion Kits Are Great for DIY

• Extremely durable and fire-resistant

• Easy to assemble (just clip, fill, close)

• Suitable for seating, walls, accents, and more

• Adds an architectural, premium look

• Works with recycled or natural fillers

DIY Gabion Ideas for Summer Entertaining

• Create a gabion bench or outdoor table

• Build small retaining steps or terraced levels

• Add a decorative feature wall or BBQ backdrop

• Make gabion planter boxes to frame your entertaining area

Popular Gabion Fillers

Tip: Use gabions to frame your BBQ area; they create a standout “feature zone” guests will love.

Step 4: Improve Safety & Guest Comfort

A beautiful garden is one thing, a safe, welcoming one is even better.

Simple Safety Upgrades

• Add solar pathway lighting to guide guests at night

• Use non-slip mats near the BBQ

• Trim low branches along walkways

• Remove loose rocks or tripping hazards

• Keep heat-sources clear of flammable plants or décor

Comfort Boosters

• Install umbrellas or shade cloth over seating areas

• Add a fan, mist sprayer, or breezy pergola curtains for airflow

• Keep insect-repelling plants (lavender, rosemary, citronella) nearby

Step 5: Add Finishing Touches for Summer Vibes

With the main structure set, it’s time to bring your backyard to life with styling, plants, and décor.

Easy Styling Ideas to Transform Your Space

• Add outdoor cushions, rugs, and lanterns

• Hang festoon lights or place solar lanterns along pathways

• Add herb planters near the BBQ for fresh garnishes

• Mulch garden beds for a neat, rich appearance

• Choose hardy, seasonal plants like rosemary, kangaroo paw, lavender, or native grasses

• Create “conversation corners” with seating, a side table, and potted plants

Plants and décor bring softness and personality, helping your garden feel warm, inviting, and full of life.

Make Your Garden Summer-Ready with StrataGreen

With just a handful of DIY projects, a clean yard, crisp landscape edging, and a standout gabion feature, your garden can become structured, stylish, and ready for entertaining all summer long.

StrataGreen makes it easy with high-quality products designed for DIY homeowners, including Formline Landscape Edging and Rhinoweld Gabion Kits. Both are simple to install, built to last, and guaranteed to elevate your outdoor space.

If you need guidance choosing the right edging or gabion kit for your project, our team is here to help. Contact StrataGreen today for expert advice and product recommendations to bring your outdoor plans to life.