Reclaimed metals and reclaimed woods are some of the world’s most eco-friendly building materials, according to Smart Cities Dive, and both of these materials may be used to make a home garden more beautiful, hip and functional.
Choosing sustainable materials will make you feel good, and you’ll love the way that reclaimed materials add appealing character and richness, whether you have a small garden or something larger and more elaborate.
It’s time to look at some inventive ways to add reclaimed and planet-friendly materials to home gardens. While this guide is loaded with helpful tips, you should feel free to experiment and get creative.
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Create inventive garden art from reclaimed metals
When you use reclaimed metals (scrap metals) as art materials, you’ll be able to create garden sculptures that add so much inventive beauty to your home exterior.
Gardner Metal asserts that tough, rugged and durable materials can be used to add a unique flair to your garden, and are the ideal art supplies for people who love to create exciting sculptures on their own instead of buying them from stores.
If you don’t want to do a lot of work, consider choosing reclaimed metal pieces that already have interesting shapes, and then place them in your garden, among the organic veggies and flowers.
If you’re into creating things that are one of a kind, check out YouTube tutorials and other instructions, to master the basics of making sculptures from metal. It’s not as hard as it sounds.
Make a garden border with reclaimed wood
If you want a manicured garden with clean edges, be sure to lay down a border made from reclaimed wood. It’s possible to find reclaimed wood planks at vintage shops and other types of retail outlets.
Sometimes, these planks cost a pretty penny, so shop around to try and find the best deal. What’s special about reclaimed wood planks, beyond their impressive sustainability (they are recycled materials), is their patina.
Wood patina has a bronzed luster, which is the product of waxing, rubbing, dusting, sun exposure and wood oxidation. The particular patina of wood will vary based on what type of wood it is.
Reclaimed planks will have that shabby chic, weathered look, which makes them an ideal choice for the great outdoors.
How to create the wood garden border
To create a garden border from reclaimed planks, source out square-edged planks, and then prepare the garden area. You’ll need to get the ground flat and ensure that the edging path is very straight.
Since wood won’t bend to fit with the contours of the ground, fit your planks together at an angle to turn corners with your wood edging. Then prepare to enjoy a gorgeous new garden border that gives your outdoor area a tidy and attractive new look.
Use reclaimed metals as planters
Reclaimed metal comes in all shapes and sizes, and some reclaimed metals make clever and inspiring garden planters. For example, an old metal bucket will look amazing, because of its weathered look, and may hold flowers or smaller tomato plants.
When it’s time to make garden planters out of reclaimed metals, the only limitation will be your own imagination. Some people use old wheelbarrows as planters. This is another fun idea that you may want to try.
If you like things sleek and minimalist, go for simple metal containers and fill them with plants. If you prefer a little whimsy (or a lot of whimsy), go for a wheelbarrow, plus other mismatched planks crafted from reclaimed metals.
Whimsical garden style is all about selecting pieces that are quirky, charming, and unexpected. So, what about drainage for these planters? Well, with the typical, galvanized bin, adding drainage holes will be important.
How to add drainage holes to the planters
To begin, turn your reclaimed metal container upside down. This is the position it will need to be in when you drill holes. Then, place a blanket or tarp beneath, so it’s easy to collect metal scraps as they fall.
Next, utilize a metal drill with a half-inch metal drill bit. Use the drill to make holes around the bin’s base, with each hole being a few inches from the next. You should also make holes horizontally and vertically.
Bear in mind that making these holes will wear down the drill battery quickly. You may want to choose a corded drill for this task. Once you’ve drilled the holes and gotten rid of the metal scraps, turn your planter over, add soil and then add your fave plants or seeds.
Make a trellis from reclaimed wood
A handmade trellis will add so much beauty and character to your garden. When you choose eco-conscious reclaimed woods, you’ll love the results. Once your trellis is complete, you may add climbing plants, such as variegated ivy, climbing roses, or honeysuckle.
A trellis is a piece of garden hardscaping that has an open framework. It’s a latticework design made from intersecting pieces of wood. A trellis will be the perfect support for all sorts of climbing plants. Lots of people make these trellises from old wooden pallets or other forms of reclaimed wood.
How to create a reclaimed wood trellis
To begin, cut reclaimed wood into smaller pieces (if you need to), so you’ll be able to complete the frame and then make the grid. Line up your wood pieces on the grass.
Then, arrange those pieces to form the shape of a pyramid. This will be the shape of the frame. After you shape the frame, hold the wood pieces together by adding screws.
Next, add the remaining boards in an interwoven fashion and attach them with screws. This easy and fast DIY project will be very fulfilling. Find video tutorials online if you need help completing this project.
Gardens are amazing places, where people let go of their stress as they commune with nature.
Every garden has inherent appeal, but gardens adorned with reclaimed materials are really something special, and by reusing items instead of buying new ones, you can be sure that you’re doing your part for the planet too. So, why not plan a garden project with reclaimed materials today?
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