Upcycling Trends in Garden Projects this Season

Don’t toss that old wheelbarrow! Turn it into a planter, instead.
Image: Shutterstock

We all know that recycling waste or unwanted items is something just about anyone can do to make the world a greener place to live in. This season, if you want to up the ante of reusing old materials and making them new again, try out some do-it-yourself upcycling projects.

What is “upcycling,”you ask? National Geographic explains that while recycling means to turn waste into reusable product, upcycling is a subset of that, in which one turns unwanted waste or materials into a product of better quality. Upcycling takes the process of reusing materials a step further than recycling, by suggesting that the refurbishing of old items can make them even better than the original product.

Many contemporary designers are borrowing the upcycling philosophy by turning old materials into cleverly manipulated garments and home furnishings. Lots of upcycling blogs like Upcycle That can be found cropping up all over the Internet, providing ideas and inspiration for taking obsolete, broken, or unutilized household items and repurposing them in enhanced ways.

Simple items like shipping pallets can become beautiful garden space.
Image: Shutterstock

Upcycling definitely has a place in home gardens, where you can use old materials innovatively to create a new look. This trend in gardening is not only visually appealing, but also a great way to recycle. You may have even unintentionally upcycled some materials in your yard already!

Some upcycling ideas for your home garden:

-Take a broken or unused wheelbarrow and turn it into a planter.

-Replacing a sink in your home? Repurpose the old one into a pretty garden birdbath.

-Grow vertical mini gardens in wooden shipping pallets.

-Bend antique spoons into hooks for plant hangers on the side of your home or garage.

-Create tiered flowerboxes out of unused dressers or tackle boxes.

For more tips and inspiration on how to upcycle materials from your home, visit the gardening section at Upcycle That.