Upcycled Garden Style

Do you ever feel bad about throwing away your old gift cards and club cards?  With a coat of chalkboard spray paint, they are magically transformed into mini chalkboards.

Follow the photo-link to read more.

What are the advantages of this system? The most obvious is the ability to grow many plants in a small space. It’s an interesting way to maximize the production of a small garden, or to grow strawberries on a deck or balcony. 

But there are other advantages. Since the plants are off the ground, you’ll be able to grow very clean, very high-quality berries. Disease problems can be minimized with the off-the-ground approach, particularly in a greenhouse where constant airflow is provided.

Follow the photo-link to find out how to make your own strawberry tower.

I enjoy displaying a few vintage blue insulators in the birdbath.  Clearly, these Western Bluebirds enjoy them as well!

Follow the photo-link to read more about glass insulators.

Here is an idea for displaying your garden planters no matter what their condition. The "Rest in Pieces" sign is easy enough to make out of recycled materials too. How will you adapt this to your garden?

The showy flowers of allium bloom in early summer and carry a sweet, pungent scent.  If you garden outside of USDA Zones 4-7, or in a state that prohibits the growth of allium, you can obtain the illusion of the plant by creating spheres carrying their form.

Follow the photo-link to discover how to create these.

Old 2-drawer, 5-drawer and even single-drawer file cabinets easily found by the curb, at yard sales or in resale stores can now have a new and functional life when recycled as planters.  What is your favorite garden color?

Follow the photo-link to discover how to create planters form discarded file cabinets.

Vintage pieces of glass call out to me whenever I yield to my passion for thrifting.  This is a project I put together a few years ago, and it remains standing in my Midwest garden, even through snow, rain, heat, and gloom of night.

Follow the photo link to find the tutorial for this project.

Transform an ordinary garden stepping-stone by converting it from dull to interesting with this DIY project.

Follow the photo-link to find a list of materials needed to create one of your own.

Create a globe to reflect light in your garden. Follow the photo link fo find out how to make one of your own.

Next time you empty a wine bottle, why not try this classy way to keep the bugs away!

Follow the photo-link to read the instructions.

Create this quirky garden sign to point in the direction of diffrent locations on your property. 

Follow the photo-link to discover a complete, step-by-step guide to creating your own, hanging succulent garden.

Using a chandelier found in the attic of a local antique store, Debra Anchors created this charming feature for her cottage-inspired garden.

Follow the photo-link to find instructions for creating your own solar garden chandelier.

These natural and durable building materials provide a very cool contrast to elegant succulent plants. Used bricks work even better because they have a bit of personality and history behind them, and they are inexpensive (if they are used, they are probably thrown away, so they are free)!  The tricky part is to drill the holes, it not very difficult but you’ll have to be very patient, because any shock could shatter the brick. 

Read more here:  http://goo.gl/xCWql

I have seen many examples of partitions and walls created from glass bottles on the Internet. This one is my favorite.

Follow the photo-link to find out how to create your own glass structure.

To find a supply list and instructions for making a helping hand of your own, follow the photo-link.

New ways with old window shutters. How about painted and then re-purposed in the garden?

Use worn horseshoes to create furniture. follow this photo-link to read more.

Perfect for a deck or patio, an old dresser can be artfully transformed into a planter.

Follow the photo-link to discover how to re-invent a dresser of your own.

This set of planters, created by Tom Ballinger, was the star of the show at BBB Seed during one of their seasonal open houses.  I wrote a feature about this inspirational display last year on my website, Gardens Inspired.

Follow the photo-link to discover the instructions for making denim garden planters of your own.

Follow the photo link to find instructions to make your own,