Julian Cassell's DIY Blog

Definitely not my usual subject matter, and not anyone else’s as far as I can research, but my first view of a ‘pumpkin tree’ immediately appealed to my DIY nature. If there are such things as DIY or gardening ‘headturners’, this is most definitely one, and although you may have surmised by now, with a little disappointment I imagine, that you were correct in your assumption that pumpkins don’t grow on trees in the true horticultural sense, they can certainly be made to look like they do. read more »

If you’re thinking about putting up a new garden fence, and maybe you’ve seen one you like down at your local garden centre or DIY superstore, just bear in mind that your budget does need to include a number of bits and pieces other than just the panels and posts. You will need a good selection of tools from your ‘household toolkit’, but in this guide I want to point out a few fencing essentials that you’re probably not going to find in your toolbox. read more »

How to fix a shed roof is a topic that can certainly range in extremes, from simply tacking back down some loose felt, to discovering the ply or building boards (roof sheets) used to make up the structure of the roof are totally rotten, and so complete replacement becomes necessary. Below are a few considerations and solutions to common shed roof problems, as well as what I’ve found to be a selection of excellent products for fixing a shed roof. read more »

Green lawnmowers, and I’m not talking colours here, is a subject that I’ve been meaning to comment on for a while now, and I’ve literally been prompted into action today by reading some extraordinary reviews about a particular mower. The machine in question is a very simple cylinder mower that is completely unspectacular in appearance, but extremely spectacular in performance. Therefore let’s take a slightly closer look at the little green lawnmower that’s selling by the thousand. read more »

A good home maintenance schedule is essential for all of us, and exterior maintenance is of paramount importance as failure to look after things outside, may even cause structural damage. Even the jobs that don’t have structural significance are still vital, because if you let your outdoor features and surfaces deteriorate, it generally ends up costing you money to restore them, further down the line. The list of tips below is by no means comprehensive read more »