Turn your outdoor space into a garden paradise for less?
Well, if it’s upcycled projects you’re after then you’re in the right place!
Old pallet planters, broken wheelbarrow flower beds, even boot succulent holders. You name it, you can make it.
Here’s the thing:
You don’t need expensive supplies or a professional’s skillset to create jaw-dropping DIY gardens.
In fact, you probably have most of the materials in your shed already.
In fact, statistics show that a whopping 74% of homeowners plan to start a DIY project in 2025, with garden projects being the most popular.
Old things become the new treasure.
But if you want to make it even easier, creating a space dedicated to doing those DIY projects is key.
Garden workshops provide that perfect sanctuary for doing your projects.
With an insulated garden workshop providing lockable space for storage, you get an ideal spot to plan, build, and store all your reclaimed materials for upcycling. And it keeps them out of your garage too!
In this article, you’ll discover:
- Why Upcycling Garden Projects Are Trending
- Top Household Items To Search For
- 5 DIY Garden Projects That Will Blow You Away
- How To Make Them Last Longer
Why Upcycling Garden Projects Are Trending
Upcycling isn’t just a trend. It’s a whole mindset shift that’s happening among gardeners.
With sustainability becoming a priority for gardeners, people want to avoid waste while creating stunning outdoor areas. And upcycling does just that.
Here’s what the numbers say:
Home garden centers and big box stores report a significant increase in the demand for eco-friendly garden products.
Customers are looking for sustainable products without costing a small fortune.
And beyond the logic of the trend is the emotional rush of transforming rubbish into luxury.
DIYing your garden is just so satisfying.
Here are some factors making upcycling gardens top choice right now:
- Saving money – Upcycling is cost-effective. Many materials are free or low-cost.
- Saving the planet – It’s eco-friendly. Makes your garden more sustainable.
- Design uniqueness – A one-of-a-kind look. A garden unlike any other.
- Creative outlet – Self-expression through reclaimed materials.
But the secret ingredient?
Upcycled gardens have soul. Character. A history that adds meaning.
The wildest part?
DIY gardening has become a $12 billion industry. Upcycling is expected to make up most of that growth.
Top Household Items To Search For
When you’re in upcycle-mode it’s helpful to know where to find things.
The best thing is that many of the top materials are in your house already.
Broken chairs. Old pallets. Broken toys. Rusted buckets.
Think outside of the box. Literally.
Use the items around your home that otherwise are destined for the trash heap.
Have fun exploring.
Here are some of the most common things people find when they start hunting:
- Wood pallets and scraps are the most obvious. Old pallets from the local hardware store or construction site, wood scraps from a home build or demolition site. Use for raised garden beds, vertical planters, even furniture.
- Containers of all types. Old terracotta pots, wine bottles, mason jars. Mason jars are especially versatile. Use for planters, window boxes, cold frames. You can even turn a mason jar into a mini-greenhouse!
- Metal items. Old bed frames, broken tools, even large bolts. Use to create trellises, garden art, hanging planters. Metal items add character and an industrial vibe.
- Glass or ceramics can make great accents in your garden. Broken china, window panes, even drinking glasses. Create mosaic stepping stones or borders. Old window frames can make lovely cold frames.
One word: Potential.
5 DIY Garden Projects That Will Blow You Away
All that researching can’t help but make you want to create something.
Here are 5 super simple projects that’ll make your garden pop!
1. Pallet Vertical Garden
This is a great starter project for any DIY gardening upcycling project.
Grab an old pallet, landscape fabric, potting soil, and some plants.
Staple the fabric to the back of the pallet. Then fill with soil and add plants or herbs in the gaps. You can mount it against a wall or fence for easy display.
This creates instant living art for your garden and saves space while looking incredible.
2. Tire Planters
Old tires can be an excellent material for garden planters.
Paint them different colors or cut them into shapes for a more artistic look.
Stack them or use them alone. Fill with soil and add plants. Perfect for potatoes, tomatoes, or decorative garden pieces.
Best part? Tire shops are happy to give them to you.
3. Broken Pot Fairy Gardens
Instead of throwing out cracked terracotta pots, save them.
Break them in a controlled way. Layer the pieces to make a tiered garden display.
Add miniature plants, fairy garden figurines, and even pebble pathways.
Kids will love making their own fairy gardens. And you can never have too many mini gardens in the backyard.
4. Mason Jar Herb Wall
Collect old mason jars. Attach them to a wooden board using hose clamps at regular intervals.
Fill the jars with water and fresh herbs for easy access.
Hang the board on the wall. This adds functional art that keeps fresh herbs at your fingertips.
Great for small spaces or apartment balconies.
5. Bicycle Planter
That rusty old bike collecting dust in the shed? It can become a garden statement piece!
Lean it up against a fence. Add hanging baskets to the seat and handlebars. Or attach planters to the frame.
Plant trailing flowers for a whimsical cottage garden look. People will stop and stare.
Bonus conversation starter.
How To Make Them Last Longer
All those fun projects have a dark side most people forget.
Upcycled materials need extra care to last outside.
Wood needs to be sealed to protect it from rot and the elements. Use exterior-grade wood stain or sealant on all wood projects. Reapply every year or as needed.
Metal requires rust prevention. Sand down any rusty areas, prime with rust-inhibiting primer, then paint with an exterior paint.
Add Drainage. Every container needs holes in the bottom for excess water to drain. Otherwise, your plants will drown, and your containers will rot out much faster.
Placement is important. Some materials fade quickly in the direct sun. Others won’t last in constantly damp conditions.
Plan for winter too. Some projects need storage or special care in freezing temperatures.
Regular maintenance will make them last much longer. A little bit of care goes a long way.
Time To Wrap This Up
Upcycling garden projects are more than just about saving a few bucks.
They’re about creating an artistic, sustainable space that’s uniquely yours.
All those items in the garage waiting to go to the dump have potential.
That broken chair becomes a planter. Wine bottles become garden edging. Even old newspapers make biodegradable seed pots.
The beauty of upcycling is there are no rules. If it works, it works.
So start small with a few projects. Get comfortable with the process. And then let your imagination go wild.
Your garden doesn’t need to be just like everyone else’s. In fact, it shouldn’t.
Scour the garage, hit those thrift stores, and start seeing trash as treasure. Your wallet and the planet will thank you.
And your garden? It’ll have more character and more personality than any off-the-shelf garden could.
Pretty cool right?
