Upcycling with Do It Yourself Gardening Techniques
Shelling out money for flower gardening supplies can be a real pain in the grass. For many homeowners, gardening expenses are some of the first to be cut when the going gets tough. Fortunately, do-it-yourself solutions to garden needs can be found all around the house. By recycling and re-purposing old bottles, cans and other materials, you can turn your garden from drab to fab for a fraction of the price.
DIY Planters
Planters are a necessary addition to any garden, and with a little imagination, can be made out of basically anything. All of these supplies can be found around the house or at a thrift store if saving money is your number one priority.
- Boots: Have an old pair of leather boots lying around? Clean them out, fill them with soil and get to planting! If the beat-up-leather look isn’t your thing, throw on a few coats of paint to add some flair.
- Wheelbarrows: Wheelbarrow planters give your garden a rustic, vintage feel. They are typically a bit shabby and run down but chic nonetheless. Plus, they give you plenty of space to plant.
- Wine Bottles: Repurposed wine bottles are all the rage these days. Whether they’re used as drinking glasses, planters or lamps, they make a great addition to your garden. Be careful when making them though, as the glass is sharp and very hazardous.
DIY Birdfeeders
Birdfeeders are a great way to bring some wildlife into your garden. Hummingbirds, and other winged-creatures, are not only pretty to look at, but also aid in the pollination process. By welcoming birds into your garden, you are creating a better habitat and ambiance.
- Tea Cups: Tea cups are adorable, no one can argue that. You may have never expected to see them in a garden, but superglue one to a saucer, fill it with birdseed and voila, you have a super cute, DIY birdfeeder!
- Plastic Bottles: Odds are in elementary school you were told to make a birdfeeder out of a milk carton or liter bottle of soda. Not only are they easy to make, they hold an immense amount of birdseed. Unfortunately they can look a little dingy if not decorated, so be sure to add some color.
- Watermelons: Watermelons in the summer are aplenty. Rather than tossing away your rinds like you always do, etch out some space for some birdseed and hang them from a tree in your backyard. Birds like sweets so a taste of watermelon is sure to encourage repeat visits.
DIY Outdoor Sofas
Outdoor sofas combine the comfort of indoors, with the tranquility of nature. Although frequently exposed to the elements, outdoor sofas are great for seating guests during outdoor parties or barbecues. If kept covered, they will provide a place to put up your feet for many years to come.
- Cribs: Cribs don’t have to solely be for babies anymore. Once Junior grows out of his crib all it takes is some repurposing and a couple pillows and you have prime garden seating.
- Wood Pallets: Wood pallets have all kinds of uses, many that you wouldn’t expect. If you have some lying around your backyard, stack them up, throw a sheet and a few pillows on them and your guests won’t know the difference.
- Milk Crates: Milk crates are some of the ugliest things you can have around the house. Instead of tossing them out, find a wall to stack them up against. After that, lay a pad on top and you will have a DIY couch worthy of any guest.
Dressing up your garden doesn’t have to break the bank, in fact, sometimes the cheaper option ends up being the best looking in the end. Instead of spending your hard-earned cash on expensive garden décor that’s only going to be weathered over the years, be creative and utilize what you have laying around the house.
If one man’s trash is another man’s treasure, then it won’t be long before that grimy, old wheelbarrow becomes a glimmering beacon of hope among your greens. So, get out there, get a little dirty and turn what was once ugly into dingy, shabby beauty!
Further Reading:
- Planning Your Organic Garden
- How to Start a Vegetable Garden – How to Grow Vegetables
- 5 Natural Pest Remedies for Your Garden
- Medicinal Herb Garden – What To Grow and How To Keep It Growing All Winter
- Ten Great Gardening Tips
- How to Make Your Own Compost Tea
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- DIY Solutions for the Garden - July 9, 2013