Bruno Pugh
Ditch those pricey garden store trips. Your next outdoor masterpiece is lurking in unexpected places—perhaps even your recycling bin. Imagine a rusty gutter turned into a sleek herb haven or grandma’s chipped teacup reimagined as a bird’s personal buffet. Let’s revolutionize your garden game with these 15 easy and cheap ways!
Pallet Vertical Planters
Turn old pallets into vertical planters! Sand rough edges, apply weather-resistant paint, and attach small pots or plants in soil-filled gaps. Lean against a wall or secure for a space-saving garden feature. This rustic addition maximizes growing space while recycling materials destined for landfills.
Boot Planters
Simply convert those worn-out boots into quirky planters. Such a creative reuse breathes new life into old footwear and adds character to your garden. To begin with, clean thoroughly, drill drainage holes in the soles, and then fill with potting soil. After this, add flowers or herbs.
Bottle Self-Watering Planters
In order to repurpose glass bottles as self-watering planters, first cut them in half, invert the top into the bottom, and fill them with soil and plants. The neck acts as a water reservoir, slowly releasing moisture. This method reduces watering frequency and recycles containers.
Ladder Plant Stand
This upcycled piece maximizes space and heightens your outdoor decor while showcasing plants. Here’s how you can turn an old ladder into a tiered plant stand! Sand, paint, and position it against a wall or fence. Place potted plants on each rung, creating a vertical garden.
Window Greenhouse
Create a mini greenhouse from old windows. To prepare this DIY project, collect four matching windows, hinge them together to form a box, and add a simple roof. Place over delicate plants for protection from harsh weather. It will extend their growing season, giving purpose to discarded windows.
Teacup Bird Feeder
Select a cup and arrange it sideways on the saucer. Then, add a strong string or chain and birdseed inside. Now, hang from a tree branch to draw in avian companions. This thoughtful piece supports local animals while adding a touch of vintage style.
Pallet Compost Bin
You can literally build a compost bin from wooden pallets. A cost-effective solution like this turns kitchen scraps and yard waste into nutrient-rich soil, reducing landfill waste. So, stand four pallets upright to form a square, securing corners with wire. Add a fifth pallet on top as a lid, and you’re done.
Cutlery Wind Chimes
A fun way to fashion windchimes from old cutlery! Collect mismatched forks and spoons, drill holes near the handles, and hang from a wooden disk or metal ring. The resulting melody adds a unique, homemade touch to your garden while reusing kitchen items creatively.
Bicycle Wheel Trellis
Here’s an upcycle that combines form and function in your garden. To construct a trellis from old bicycle wheels, remove tires and spokes, paint the rims, and attach them in a vertical line to a post or fence. Train climbing plants through the wheels for an eye-catching feature.
Broken Pot Fairy Garden
Imagine designing a fairy garden in a broken pot! To do this, arrange cracked container pieces to create miniature scenes. Add small plants, pebble paths, and tiny decorations to craft a whimsical world. This imaginative project salvages damaged pots and delights both children and adults.
Gutter Herb Garden
Repurpose those old rain gutters into sleek herb planters to add a modern touch while utilizing vertical space. To begin with, clean thoroughly, drill drainage holes, and mount securely on a fence or wall. Lastly, fill it with soil and plant various herbs for an accessible kitchen garden.
Dresser Planter
You can convert an old dresser into a planter, and here’s how. Also, this upcycle adds character to patios while repurposing furniture. So, remove drawers, waterproof the inside, drill drainage holes, and fill with soil. Plant flowers or vegetables in each compartment for a multitiered garden feature.
Broken China Stepping Stones
Create stepping stones from broken china. Simply arrange colorful ceramic shards in a concrete-filled mold, letting them set to form mosaic-style pavers. Personalized stepping stones add pops of color to garden paths or seating areas, giving new life to shattered dishes and tiles.
Tin Can Hanging Planters
To revamp tin cans into hanging planters, you need to begin by cleaning cans thoroughly. Paint in vibrant colors and punch drainage holes. Attach sturdy wire or rope for hanging. Fill with soil and plants, then suspend from branches. It adds vertical interest to your garden!
Bug Hotel
Build a bug hotel from scrap wood and natural materials. Layer wood pieces with gaps filled by twigs, pinecones, and hollow stems. Such a structure provides shelter for beneficial insects like bees and ladybugs. It promotes biodiversity in your garden ecosystem while reusing various materials.