How to add a shady spot in your garden

July 31, 2012, 3:47 pm Yahoo!7

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Create a nice ’n’ shady spot almost instantly with this umbrella in a pot, weighed down with aggregate and concrete. Simple, yet so effective.

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Gather your supplies

Large pot (with at least 60cm diameter)

Shade umbrella

Flyscreen sheet

Plastic pipe (with diameter to accommodate umbrella’s pole)

20kg bag 20mm blue metal stone

20kg bag quick-set concrete

Potting mix

Selection of plants

Notes:

Even though you will be sitting undercover, it’s always a good idea to ensure you’re protected against the sun’s harmful rays. Wear clothing that covers as much of your body as possible, apply sunscreen liberally and regularly, wear a hat that covers your face, neck and ears, and protect your eyes with sunglasses.

Here's How

Step 1: Cut a length of plastic pipe to extend about 20cm above top of pot.
Step 2: Fill base of pot with half the blue metal stone and work 1 end of plastic pipe into it, centring it vertically in pot. Pour remainder of blue metal into pot, then spread it around to hold pipe in place.
Step 3: Mix concrete in a wheelbarrow and, while it’s still wet, shovel into pot and spread evenly. Use a level to make sure pipe is perfectly vertical.
Step 4: To create drainage holes in pot, push wooden dowel into wet concrete until it reaches the blue metal stone. You should make at least 4 holes, at equally spaced intervals.
Step 5: Cut flyscreen to roughly the same size as pot’s surface. Cut a slit in the middle so it can fit over plastic pipe. This will prevent the potting mix from blocking drainage holes.
Step 6: Once concrete is dry, move pot into its final resting position. Fill with potting mix and plant with a colourful mix of foliage and flowers. Slide umbrella into plastic pipe. If it doesn’t fit tightly, add wooden splints around pole to help keep it vertical.