Unless you live somewhere like Dunedin or Nelson which, I'm told, are the two least rainy cities in New Zealand, you're probably not embarking on any major garden projects right now.
It rains reasonably frequently where we live at this time of year, so any creative project I dream up has to be able to be achieved in under 30 seconds - well, not quite, but you get my drift.
So my garden endeavours are limited to things that can be completed in the rain (hopefully by somebody whose hair doesn't go all to hell in the wet), or that can at least be partially constructed under cover and flung into place when there's a wee break in the clouds. Like the following:
HIT THE WALL
This is such an easy way to brighten up a wall, either permanently or for a special occasion. Thread your shells on to a circular wire frame and tuck artificial leaves and flowers between. If you want, you can use fresh blooms, which is a great idea for a party. Oh, and paint the wall blue, of course.
BOX ON
Living as we do at the bottom of a dead end, private road, we don't have a letterbox and I've never really wanted one. But some people love them and will go to great lengths to give their homes the stamp of individuality with something totally off the wall. This metallic man letterbox, complete with gumboots, must surely take the sting out of getting the bills.
INSTANT ART
How easy is this? Gather up some old pieces of driftwood or sea-worn timber next time you're walking on the beach, drill a hole in each (if there aren't already suitable holes there), and thread on to a piece of wire. It makes an instant piece of artwork for a casual garden. You can use pumice, too.
IMPERFECT PAVERS
Who didn't have a string line? This is the kind of look some of us achieve quite by accident, but in reality it makes what may have been a rather ordinary space into something quirky and special. It's also a lot easier to lay pavers in a random design, especially if you're in a hurry. Tip: position them on the ground before you inset them and make sure the spacing is right for walking or you'll end up with a hopscotch instead of a path. Not that a hopscotch would necessarily be a bad idea...
DECK WITH A DIFFERENCE
If you've talked someone into building a new area of deck or paving, consider this - a cut-out corner will add interest and bring a point of difference to your design. It allows room for either an existing or new specimen tree, a pot plant, or a shallow bowl of water. Failing that, just make a framed hole and fill it with stones, shells or scleranthus.
SUPERIOR SCULPTURE
If this piece of sculpture was sitting on the ground you might not really notice it, but it can be admired in all its detail when it's elevated.
In this case the timber column on which it sits is a piece of art in its own right, and provides a tonal and textural contrast to the material of the sculpture.