Looking for ways to repurpose materials for the garden?
Gardens are the ideal way to add an eco-friendly touch to any space, and re-purposing old items to use in the garden allows you to maximize your impact on the environment. Today, everything from rustic lawn tools to kid’s toys can be used in your garden to decorate the area while making it feel more personal.
Ways to Repurpose Materials for the Garden
There’s no right or wrong way to go about repurposing material for your garden, so go ahead and try different things. You’ll find some things work and some things don’t.
As you plan your garden, try these five creative recycling ideas that will transform it into a beautiful oasis that stands out from the rest.
Choose Creative Containers
Almost anything with a base and a cavity can be turned into garden containers. For example, outgrown children’s galoshes are adorable when they are lined up along the walkway and filled with colorful blooms. Alternatively, a kitchen colander is perfect for hanging plants that need good drainage. Metal containers, such as coffee cans and buckets, can also be painted to brighten up your garden space. If you have kids or grand-kids, then also consider adding in an old toy wagon or beach buckets for fun containers that will capture their interest in gardening.
Make Your Markers
When you first plant your seedlings, it is important to know where each type of plant is located. Spoons make great markers since you can add an image or label to the top and poke the handle into the ground. Alternatively, you can use printed tape to color code the handles on garden shovels. This way, you can have your tools accessible and know exactly which type of plant you are tending at the same time.
Accent with Artificial Grass
Sometimes, there are spaces in your garden where a touch of green is ideal, but the conditions may not be suitable for natural grass. In these instances, repurposed artificial grass provides a way to reuse resources and decrease the maintenance required for a garden’s green spaces. For example, you can use artificial grass to line a walkway between beds, or you can cover a bench to make it feel as though you are sitting in the grass but without the dirt and bugs.
Try Rubber Raised Beds
Raised bed gardens are back savers, and you can instantly erect a few beds of your own by using old tires. If you want a huge garden, try using a worn out tractor tire. Alternatively, you can stack used car tires into a pyramid for a varied look. Similar to metal, you can also paint your old tire garden beds so that they add a touch of whimsy to your landscape.
Build Pallet Benches
Every garden should have a place to rest and take in the beauty of the blossoming plants. Old wooden pallets can be stacked and secured together to create a place where you can sit and lay. Once the base is made, re-purpose old couch cushions or sew one out of vintage fabric to place on top. Then, add some repurposed artificial grass to the flooring, and you will have a low-maintenance place to enjoy some relaxation.
Recycling projects can be as simple or as grand as your artistic capabilities allow, and you will be surprised to discover just how many different types of materials can be repurposed into gardening supplies. This season, make it a goal to see how much of your garden décor can be made from repurposed items. This way, you can make a unique space that is fully functional as well as environmentally-friendly.
