Create a garden rain chain

by Debra Anchors

Image Credit: Creative Commons photo by contraption 

A rain chain downspout is a wonderful way to manage water run-off around the home.  Rain chains are easy to make, and can be a beautiful addition to your garden.

Image Credit: Ann Arbor Chronicle 

Rain chains can work in almost any environment; even in the winter. When rainwater flows down a rain chain and it turns to ice, the water will form a beautiful icicle; whereas, when traditional waterspouts freeze, they become ineffective.













You will need:

• Galvanized Chain
• Tape measure
• Gutter strap
• Ground stake
• Rain barrel  (optional for those who would like to collect and recycle rain water)

Embedded here is a video that will show you a finished do-it-yourself rain chain.




Note:  For convenience, I have embedded links into the materials list that will take you to the products used in this project.

Recycle, upcycle and do it yourself? Absolutely! Have you upcycled something unique for your garden from recycled materials? Please share it with me so I can feature your creation here.

If you enjoy this website, you might like my magazine, Gardening Life. AND, don’t miss my more traditional gardening website, Gardens Inspired.

I hope you found inspiration today. Remember to subscribe, so you won't miss a thing!

Until next time -
Debra

Child safety cap for the top rail of your swimming pool - DIY

by Debra Anchors

This may be a bit of a stretch to use as an upcycled garden style topic, but I have a swimming pool tucked into my gardens so am including this DIY upcycle project here. Even if I had been able to find something at retail, I doubt if it would have cost less than $30!

I was concerned that our little people would catch their fingers on the metal top rail of the swimming pool so I constructed a cushioned guard that not only covers any sharp metal joints, but also serves as a bumper of sorts. Do you notice the potential hazard for little fingers here?

Ours is an 18 foot diameter pool, so I picked-up Wacky Noodle Floats from a discount dollar store, enough to cover the top rail of our swimming pool.  Find the circumference of your pool by multiplying pi by the diameter of your pool (or in this case, 3.14 x 18 ft. = 56.52 ft.). To determine the number of pool noodles you will need, take the circumference of your pool (feet) and multiply by 12 (to find number of inches). Divide that sum by the length of your pool noodle (in inches). Purchase a few more wacky noodles than you need so you can fit the ends together snuggly.

I used a firm yardstick to mark and ensure a straight line on each noodle.  If your line is not straight, you will have a challenge getting each noodle to fit the rail without twisting.  Carefully cut along each line with a utility knife.

Once you have your noodle floats cut, you are ready to install them around the top rail of your pool.







The noodles do tend to “shrink” a bit in the sun. Be certain to squeeze the seams together as much as possible.

 

If you have more Wacky Noodle Float material than you need, when you reach the end of your circumference, just cut off the excess with your utility knife.

What do you think?



Note:  For convenience, I have embedded links into the materials list & instructions that will take you to the products used in this project.

Recycle, upcycle and do it yourself? Absolutely! Have you upcycled something unique for your garden from recycled materials? Please share it with me so I can feature your creation here.


If you enjoy this website, you might like my magazine, Gardening Life. AND, don’t miss my more traditional gardening website, Gardens Inspired.

I hope you found inspiration today. Remember to subscribe, so you won't miss a thing!

Until next time -
Debra

Transform a wine bottle into a tiki torch

by Debra Anchors

Decorative Tiki - Eric Anderson

Whether filled with lamp oil to light up the night, or citronella oil to ban mosquitoes from your party, these DIY oil lamps are a great way to re-purpose a wine bottle.

Erik Anderson’s hanging lantern, featured on Design Sponge, is a bit  involved to create but not difficult. The table lanterns, over at When The Pigs Fly, are less involved, and are also less expensive to make.

Table Lanterns - When The Pigs Fly

Basically, this is what you will need to create the table lanterns:

 - Empty, clean wine bottles
 - Tiki torch replacement wicks
 - Citronella lamp oil (or general lamp oil)
 - A metal washer to fit the opening of your wine bottle
   (most, 1 3/8-inch)
 - Decorative GLASS beads (small enough to fit
   inside the wine bottle)
- A funnel









Basic instructions for creating the tabletop lanterns:

• Fill your wine bottles ½- full with glass beads in the color of your choice
• Insert the wick through the opening of the washer; leaving enough of the wick to light it 
• Using the funnel, pour enough of the lamp oil into the wine bottle to cover half of the wick – do not over-fill the bottle

I have linked to each of the original projects so you can find complete instructions at each location.

Note:  For convenience, I have embedded links into the materials list & instructions that will take you to the products used in these projects.

Recycle, upcycle and do it yourself? Absolutely! Have you upcycled something unique for your garden from recycled materials? Please share it with me so I can feature your creation here.


If you enjoy this website, you might like my magazine, Gardening Life. AND, don’t miss my more traditional gardening website, Gardens Inspired.

I hope you found inspiration today. Remember to subscribe, so you won't miss a thing!

Until next time -
Debra

Create a solar chandelier for your garden

by Debra Anchors

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









Materials needed:

• A chandelier to upcycle.  I found mine in the attic of a resale shop on our historic Main Street, but I often see them at yard sales and flea markets.
• Canning jars of appropriate size and number for the base of your fixture  – those in my picture are pint size.
• Spray paint that will adhere to metal and be weatherproof.
• Inexpensive outdoor solar lights (you will be taking these apart and re-purposing them).
• A rubber-based, waterproof, permanent bonding agent that will adhere to glass and metal.

Instructions:

1. Strip the wiring and any other unwanted attachments from your fixture.
2. Clean the chandelier well and allow it time to dry completely.
3. Hang the chandelier and apply the paint; I applied more than one coat to enhance durability. 
4. Take the solar lights apart; you will use only the top containing the solar cell, battery and pin light.
5. Glue the solar tops to the glass jars using a rubber-based, permanent bonding agent, and allow the glue to dry thoroughly per package instructions.
6. Glue the canning jars to the chandelier base. 

Note:  For convenience, I have embedded links into the materials list & instructions that will take you to the products used in this project.

Recycle, upcycle and do it yourself? Absolutely! Have you upcycled something unique for your garden from recycled materials? Please share it with me so I can feature your creation here.

If you enjoy this website, you might like my magazine, Gardening Life. AND, don’t miss my more traditional gardening website, Gardens Inspired.

I hope you found inspiration today. Remember to subscribe, so you won't miss a thing!

Until next time -

Debra

Upcycle glass insulators - in the birdbath!

by Debra Anchors

Image:  Sierra Foothill Garden 

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

Image:  Eyeballs By Day, Crafts By Night

Insulators are needed to contain electricity.  First produced in the 1850's for use with telegraph lines, glass insulators are relatively easy to find at yard sales and flea markets in a variety of colors.

Recycle, upcycle and do it yourself? Absolutely! Have you upcycled something unique for your garden from recycled materials? Please share it with me so I can feature your creation here.

If you enjoy this website, you might like my magazine, Gardening Life. AND, don’t miss my more traditional gardening website, Gardens Inspired.

I hope you found inspiration today. Remember to subscribe, so you won't miss a thing!

Until next time -
Debra

Stone PAVERS become stone PLANTERS

by Debra Anchors

Curated from Red Lotus Gardening

Spotted on Facebook is this great DIY idea.

You will need:

• Cement pavers  
• Concrete block adhesive,  
• Caulk gun or adhesive applicator

and, of course, your choice of  beautiful plants.

This project will provide you with the look of expensive planters for a fraction of the cost.  Then, find a moss recipe and "age" them!


What do you think? Is this project worth a try?















Note:  For convenience, I have embedded links into the text that will take you to the products used in this project.

Recycle, upcycle and do it yourself? Absolutely! Have you upcycled something unique for your garden from recycled materials? Please share it with me so I can feature your creation here.


If you enjoy this website, you might like my magazine, Gardening Life. AND, don’t miss my more traditional gardening website, Gardens Inspired.

I hope you found inspiration today. Remember to subscribe, so you won't miss a thing!

Until next time -
Debra

Upcycle wine bottles into a wall

by Debra Anchors

A patio wall created from glass bottles

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

Wall of bottles - Closeup 

To create your own colorful glass structure, drill holes through the bottom of each bottle, using a diamond drill bit, and then guide 1/2" rebar through the holes to create the wall.

















Note:  For convenience, I have embedded links into the text that will take you to the products used in this project.

Recycle, upcycle and do it yourself? Absolutely! Have you upcycled something unique for your garden from recycled materials? Please share it with me so I can feature your creation here.


If you enjoy this website, you might like my magazine, Gardening Life. AND, don’t miss my more traditional gardening website, Gardens Inspired.

I hope you found inspiration today. Remember to subscribe, so you won't miss a thing!

Until next time -
Debra

Upcycle your broken garden pots

by Debra Anchors

This image was photographed by Debra at
Crystal Gardens in Frankfort, Michigan

Here is an idea for displaying even your broken garden planters! The "Rest in Pieces" sign is easy enough to make out of recycled materials too.

Will you make room for something like this in your garden?

Recycle, upcycle and do it yourself? Absolutely! Have you upcycled something unique for your garden from recycled materials? Please share it with me so I can feature your creation here.

If you enjoy this website, you might like my magazine, Gardening Life. AND, don’t miss my more traditional gardening website, Gardens Inspired.

I hope you found inspiration today. Remember to subscribe, so you won't miss a thing!

Until next time -
Debra

An extra hand in the garden

by Debra Anchors

Image by Jacki Cammidge and Blue Fox Farm

I was inspired by an idea I found over on Blue Fox Farm. Jacki Cammidge created her hypertufa hands using Portland cement powder, peat moss and perlite.  I absolutely love this idea, but desired something sturdier in my Midwest garden, so I modified the instructions.







To create these, gather the following materials:

1. The largest size (powder-free) surgical gloves you can find
2. A fast-setting cement (Quikrete© Vinyl Concrete Patch works well)
3. Play sand or an empty pot for use in forming the hands
4. A razor blade
5. Small pieces of cardboard
6. Rubber band(s)

• Mix the cement as the package directs, obtaining a putty-like consistency. 
• Fill and then empty your gloves with water; be certain all water is drained. The goal is to dampen the inside of the gloves.
• Fill your gloves with the prepared concrete product.
• Make a pin-prick at the end of each finger of the glove and consistently and carefully push any air out of the gloves as you fill with the concrete.
• Close the wrist end of the gloves with a rubber band
• Form the filled, gloved fingers in a bed of wet play sand, or use a planter or dish to hold your ‘hand’ in the desired position. 
• Before the cement begins to set, slip a piece of cardboard between the fingers (the gloves will be easier to remove with space separating the fingers).
• Place your cement hands in the shade to dry (at least 48 hours).
• Once the hands are dry enough to handle and can be easily removed from the gloves, cut the gloves with a razor blade and then carefully pull them loose from the cement.
• Brush the outside of your cement hands with a wire brush to give them a rustic and aged look.  Once you have achieved the desired appearance, immerse your sculptures into a bucket of clean water for 3 or more days to fully cure the cement.

Note:  For convenience, I have embedded links into the text that will take you to the products used in this project.

Recycle, upcycle and do it yourself? Absolutely! Have you upcycled something unique for your garden from recycled materials? Please share it with me so I can feature your creation here.

If you enjoy this website, you might like my magazine, Gardening Life. AND, don’t miss my more traditional gardening website, Gardens Inspired.

I hope you found inspiration today. Remember to subscribe, so you won't miss a thing!

Until next time -

Debra

Construct allium inspired garden stakes

by Debra Anchors

Allium inspired garden spheres
Image by Katjuza; Nokia, Finland

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.

• Form chicken wire around a hard ball, such as a bocce ball or croquet ball. 
• Paint each sphere, using an outdoor spray paint that will protect against rust.
• Using a permanent bonding adhesive, attach the globes to garden stakes.

Note:  For convenience, I have embedded links into the text that will take you to the products used in this project.

Recycle, upcycle and do it yourself? Absolutely! Have you upcycled something unique for your garden from recycled materials? Please share it with me so I can feature your creation here.

If you enjoy this website, you might like my magazine, Gardening Life. AND, don’t miss my more traditional gardening website, Gardens Inspired.

I hope you found inspiration today. Remember to subscribe, so you won't miss a thing!

Until next time -
Debra

Create planters from metal file cabinets

by Debra Anchors

Image by Boopy Projects

I love this idea for creating a raised bed.  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?  As long as you choose paint specially formulated for use on metal, you can choose any color you like.

Image by Boopy Projects

Raise the file cabinet onto whatever it will rest on so that proper drainage can result. Using a drill bit meant for metal, drill holes into the bottom of the cabinet (it’s back), so the roots of your plants won’t drown.  Seasoned lumber, bricks, or metal wheels can be easily found at your local home improvement store. Use one of those methods to raise your planter up and off of the ground.

Image by Abby and Adam

The very best file cabinet to convert to a planter is one with a metal bottom; some metal cabinets have a hollow base.  If you find a reasonably priced (or even free) file cabinet that is hollow at the end, just plan to build a bottom for it.









As you plan to fill the spaces with soil, realize that unless you use a “filler” of some kind, you will need multiple bags of dirt. Also, your refurbished file cabinet planter, once filled, will be very heavy.  Consider assembling and planting your new container after it is placed in its permanent location.

Now. What can we create with those drawers?

Note:  For convenience, I have embedded links into the text that will take you to the products used in this project.

Recycle, upcycle and do it yourself? Absolutely! Have you upcycled something unique for your garden from recycled materials? Please share it with me so I can feature your creation here.

If you enjoy this website, you might like my magazine, Gardening Life. AND, don’t miss my more traditional gardening website, Gardens Inspired.

I hope you found inspiration today. Remember to subscribe, so you won't miss a thing!

Until next time -
Debra

• Thank you to Abby and Adam and Boopy Projects for use of the photos. Please relax with their entertaining and informative websites, too.

Garden stools glow in the dark

by Debra Anchors

Image by True Art

This exceptional and clever idea was curated from Red Lotus Gardening.  Construct outdoor stools from tree trunks and then paint them with glow paint - instant party lights in your garden or around your fire pit!















Note:  For convenience, I have embedded links into the text that will take you to the products used in this project.

Recycle, upcycle and do it yourself?  Absolutely!  Have you upcycled something unique for your garden from recycled materials?  Please share it with me so I can feature your creation here.

If you enjoy this website, you might like my magazine, Gardening Life.  AND, don’t miss my more traditional gardening website, Gardens Inspired.

I hope you found inspiration today.  Remember to subscribe, so you won't miss a thing!

Until next time -
Debra

Upcycle horseshoes to create cowboy art

by Debra Anchors

Image: Art by Mike

Worn out horseshoes are welded or otherwise fused together to create a chair. Crafting a piece such as this may present its own set of challenges, but just look at this remarkable and functional piece of western art!















Note:  For convenience, I have embedded links into the text that will take you to the products used in this project.

Recycle, upcycle and do it yourself? Absolutely! Have you upcycled something unique for your garden from recycled materials? Please share it with me so I can feature your creation here.

If you enjoy this website, you might like my magazine, Gardening Life.  AND, don’t miss my more traditional gardening website, Gardens Inspired.

I hope you found inspiration today. Remember to subscribe, so you won't miss a thing!


Until next time -
Debra

Upcycle an ordinary stepping-stone

by Debra Anchors

Image: Found Design Atlanta

Extraordinary and EASY!  

Transform an ordinary garden stepping-stone by converting it from dull to interesting with this DIY project spotted at Found Design Atlanta.  

Here is a list of supplies you will need to create this unique project -

• A common, cement stepping-stone
• Paper doilies
• Spray adhesive
• Two cans of spray-paint in either analogous or complimentary colors.  Or, why not use a glow-in the dark paint to ease use of your path at night?

Visit Paige and Susan to read their tutorial.

Note:  For convenience, I have embedded links into the text that will take you to the products used in this project.

Recycle, upcycle and do it yourself?  Absolutely! Have you upcycled something unique for your garden from recycled materials? Please share it with me so I can feature your creation here.

If you enjoy this website, you might like my magazine, Gardening Life. AND, don’t miss my more traditional gardening website, Gardens Inspired.

I hope you found inspiration today. Remember to subscribe, so you won't miss a thing!

Until next time -

Debra

Recycle and upcycle denim jeans into planters

by Debra Anchors

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.


Suggestions for creating one of these displays were offered by my readers;  I have highlighted the possibilities below.

• Place a kitchen size garbage bag inside each leg and then fill each with something that could follow the line of the jeans, but also be heavy enough to hold the planters in place. Use another kitchen garbage bag for the seat of the jeans, filled with a quality garden soil.

• Thread some rope through the belt loops of the jeans and then attach them to something sturdy, such as a fence.  Bubble wrap or crumpled plastic grocery bags could then be used to shape the legs.

• Consider constructing a PVC & wood block armature for rigidity then fill with a substance along the lines of shipping peanuts.  Then, either use the PVC pipe as the planter or secure plastic pots to the armature.

Will you create an inspirational planter of your own this year?

Note:  For convenience, I have embedded links into the text that will take you to the products used in this project.

Recycle, upcycle and do it yourself?  Absolutely!  Have you upcycled something unique for your garden from recycled materials?  Please share it with me so I can feature your creation here.

If you enjoy this website, you might like my magazine, Gardening Life.  AND, don’t miss my more traditional gardening website, Gardens Inspired.

I hope you found inspiration today.  Remember to subscribe, so you won't miss a thing!

Until next time -
Debra

Recycle and upcycle an old chair

by Debra Anchors

Photo: Bella's Rose Cottage

I will be on the lookout for an old chair to re-invent. I found this image online, with no credit given to the creator of this beautiful garden focal point.

To create this, I would either insert a chalkboard into the frame of the chair, or replace the chair back with wood and then use chalkboard paint to create a writing surface. It would be very easy to change the message with the season, or highlight a special event such as a birthday or garden party.

Oh, and that seat! How beautiful would it be to either replace the seat with a planter filled with herbs, or leave it for it’s intended purpose? A chair such as this would be a beautiful respite to relax in and enjoy the garden.

Although I do love the chippy, shabby look of this chair, I would extend it's life as long as possible by brushing on a clear wood sealer.

Note:  For convenience, I have embedded links into the text that will take you to the products used in this project.

Recycle, upcycle and do it yourself? Absolutely! Have you upcycled something unique for your garden from recycled materials? Please share it with me so I can feature your creation here.

If you enjoy this website, you might like my magazine, Gardening Life. AND, don’t miss my more traditional gardening website, Gardens Inspired.

I hope you found inspiration today. Remember to subscribe, so you won't miss a thing!

Until next time -
Debra

Recycle and upcycle cinder blocks to create a garden bench

by Debra Anchors

Photo (and instructions): Kayla's Basement

Look at what I discovered over at Kayla’s Basement.  Ingenious, Kayla.

Using 12 cinder blocks, paired with 4 (4 inch x 4 inch x 10 foot) pieces of lumber and some concrete adhesive, you too can build this outdoor bench - in less than an hour!







Note:  For convenience, I have embedded links into the text that will take you to the products used in this project.

Recycle, upcycle and do it yourself? Absolutely! Have you upcycled something unique for your garden from recycled materials? Please share it with me so I can feature your creation here.

If you enjoy this website, you might like my magazine, Gardening Life. AND, don’t miss my more traditional gardening website, Gardens Inspired.

I hope you found inspiration today. Remember to subscribe, so you won't miss a thing!

Until next time -
Debra

Hens and chicks create whimsy in the garden

by Debra Anchors

Surrounded by succulent hens and chicks, a simple wall plaque will add charm to a little corner of your garden.  Why not make one yourself? Bury the edges of the plaque in the dirt and then wait for the plants to do the rest!









Note:  For convenience, I have embedded links into the text that will take you to the products used in this project.

Recycle, upcycle and do it yourself? Absolutely! Have you upcycled something unique for your garden from recycled materials? Please share it with me so I can feature your creation here.

If you enjoy this website, you might like my magazine, Gardening Life. AND, don’t miss my more traditional gardening website, Gardens Inspired.

I hope you found inspiration today. Remember to subscribe, so you won't miss a thing!

Until next time -
Debra  

* This project was originally curated from the American Horticultural Society.