It’s great news that garden centres have been able to reopen, but if you’re on a tight budget, don’t forget the items you already have on hand that you can recycle as pots, cloches and cane-toppers. There’s a myriad uses for plastic bottles, cans, jars, loo roll and corks, which will save you plenty of money in the long run if you’re gardening on a budget – and here’s our guide to recycled garden ideas that will save you money, and the environment.
Which? Gardening, the Consumers’ Association magazine, reports 83% of its members have reused items rather than send them to landfill. The most popular were woody prunings as plant supports, plastic bottles for watering, and paths made out of old bricks. Almost a third have used a bucket as a planter and a quarter use old tights as plant ties.
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So, what else can you do? Here are 10 ideas:
10 recycled garden ideas
1. Make the most of old furniture
You can make large planters out of everything from old drawers to baths, sinks and toilets. Some people use wheelbarrows, chimney pots and car tyres to display their plants – reusing old furniture is one of the money-saving recycled garden ideas that can add a unique look to your outdoor space.
For people with smaller plots, re-use old cans, drilling drainage holes in the bottom, and paint them in colours of your choice, before planting them up with colourful plants. You could also use wellies, teapots and other old containers as plant pots.
2. Make your own watering can
Home-made watering cans are ideal for smaller pots and indoor plants, says award-winning garden designer Joe Perkins. “Using a small drill bit, start by drilling holes into the lid of a large plastic bottle. Make sure you hold the lid in place securely using a workbench or something similar to support it. And that’s it! You have a very useful watering can with a fine spray,” he advises.
“They can be used for seed trays, more specifically salad crops, as they’re ideal when space is tight, or if you’re growing on a windowsill or balcony.”
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3. Be adventurous with plant supports
As well as using long twigs from prunings, gardeners have also supported plants with old tent poles, climbing frames and even scaffold poles, Which? Gardening found.
4. Use old corks as cane toppers
Instead of buying plastic tops for canes, save the corks from your wine bottles and use those instead. Just create a small groove in the cork at one end and press it hard on to the cane.
5. Deter pests with recycled homeware
Don’t chuck your old net curtains – they will protect your crops against carrot fly. If you have a pond and you want to discourage herons, fish out your old CDs and attach them with string to a line that runs over the pond. The reflection and movement of the CDs should keep birds at bay.
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6. Create a mini-greenhouse cloche
Perkins suggests: “A mini cloche is perfect for protecting newly planted seedlings from dangers like the wind, as well as slugs and snails.”
Take a two-litre or five-litre bottle and simply cut off the bottom, pop it into the pot and there you have it, your new little pride and joy is safe for another day.
7. Be adventurous with kitchen items
Gardeners use the end of wooden spoons as dibbers, carving knives for weeding, colanders as hanging baskets and cups and mugs as pots, Which? Gardening research found. Think outside the box and old cutlery and crockery can find its place in the garden. And don’t forget lolly sticks, which can become useful plant labels.
8. Cut up old socks to use as soft ties for planting
While clearing out your drawers, you may have spotted rogue socks without a matching pair. Why not put them to good use and cut the socks into strips? They’re great soft ties for things like climbers, tomato plants and raspberries, which need support from canes, Perkins suggests.
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9. Use loo rolls and plastic fruit punnets
You can start seedlings off from toilet roll tubes and you won’t need to remove the cardboard when planting them out as it will biodegrade quickly, Perkins says. Put the tubes into old plastic fruit containers. They make great seed starter trays as they already have drainage holes and a lid to protect them, he advises.
10. Create a compost scoop
Old plastic milk bottles or detergent containers (anything with a handle) can be converted into compost scoops by cutting just below the handle and downwards, creating a scooping shape, notes Perkins.
Best-selling recycled garden pots
Stuck for inspiration? Check out our list of best-selling Amazon products!
- This beautiful range consists of lightweight, frost and UV resistant pots and planters that can be used both indoor and out.
- Each pot is made using 100% recycled materials, is 100% recyclable and offers a 5 year guarantee.
- Building on the strong consumer trend for adding colour to the garden, our vale collection does just that. The unique twist & lock feature gives all the benefits of a saucer while maintaining the...
- Recycled Rubber Plant Pot
- Indestructible - Will not fade, stain, rot or crack
- Self Watering
- 100% RECYCLED AND MADE IN THE UK. We guarantee our pots are made from 100% recycled materials diverted from landfill. Help our environment by buying recycled pots. Recycled products help lessen carbon...
- HEAVY DUTY AND DURABLE. Our premium pots are made from heavy duty plastic that’ll last for years, making it a great choice for all types of gardeners. Perfect to use for a wide range of plants,...
- STYLISH BLACK FINISH. With their nice black finish, these pots look great on their own, there is no need to buy another pot to hide them. They will complement your home’s interior or exterior...
- 45cm Diameter x 38cm Tall
- Made from 100% recycled plastic
- Pre-drilled drainage holes mean your pot is ready to start planting
- LIGHTWEIGHT DESIGNS: These planters are made from a lightweight recycled plastic and are finished with a beautiful glazed effect. At 1.08 kilograms, these pots are easy to transport and move around...
- ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY: The pots are made from a non-toxic durable recycled plastic making them eco-friendly whilst still looking like a realistic colourful planter.
- RANGE OF COLOURS: Choose from seven beautiful colours to brighten up your garden space. All our pots come with four pre-drilled drainage holes, which encourages healthy root growth. Simply pot and go
Last update on 2024-04-09 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
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