Now is a great time to prep for your spring garden projects. Use this time to collect materials like wood, pallets, old pots and coffee tins, and start painting and drilling holes in them as necessary. When spring finally peaks its head out, you can put everything together and bring new life to your sprouting garden.
Umbrella Planter
Make a little extra shade in your garden with an umbrella planter, which is both function and easy to make. Start by tracking down a large wooden planter, where you can put a few small flowers and your umbrella. Next, purchase an IMC pipe (2 inches approximately), a hub, screws and a drill.
When spring rolls around, and you’re ready to assemble, screw the hub to IMC pipe, and attach it to the bottom of the wooden flowerpot. This is what will hold the umbrella in place. Fill in the pot with dirt, plant your flowers and open the umbrella.
Pro tip: Put a bench and small side table under the umbrella to make a comfortable sitting spot where you can take a rest while gardening this summer.
Spruce Your Nest via The Southern Institute
Plant Saucer Bird Feeder
Attract pretty summer birds to your garden with this simple bird and inexpensive bird feeder. All you need is a potting plate, twine. Grab a few bottles of paint to personalize your plate and set aside to dry when you’re done.
When you’re ready to “install” your bird feeder, wrap the twine around (as seen in the photo below) and string it up on a branch. Add your birdseed and wait for them to come eat.
Pro tip: Grab another plate, drill holes in it, and string your twine through both the first and second plate. Tie knots below the holes in the second plate to hold it in place, for a cute 2-story bird feeder.
Shutter Plant Holder
Add more life to your garden without increasing the square footage with this fun project. The idea is simple: re-purpose an old shutter (or two or three) with a fresh coat of paint. Purchase or freshen up old coffee tins you already have laying around the house.
Paint those too to add another pop of color and drill a hole in the top, back area of each one. Purchase “S” hooks, and when the warm weather makes its appearance, you can fill each can with your plants of choice and hang them on the shutter in whatever pattern you prefer.
Pro tip: Don’t forget to weatherproof your shutters without chemicals using Danish oil or an oil-based urethane wood stain, according to Urban Gardening Projects: Upcycling Doors and Windows.
Pallet Tool Holder
Pallets are cheap to acquire, free more often than not, and look cute in any outdoor setting. Re-purpose the pallet you choose by painting or staining it and install hooks where you can hang your various tools, buckets, etc. Don’t forget to install a metal rack for your hose (shown in the photo below), and special hooks for shovels.
Nail or drill it into a tree or the side of your shed. Alternatively you can simply lean it somewhere, so it stays at ground level.
Pro tip: Nail a piece of wood to the bottom on both sides of the top pallet, making a small storage space.
Pallet Garden Walkway
Start collecting your pallet wood pieces now! When choosing pallets, consider the style you want—light-colored, dark-colored, or re-stain yourself to reflect your current garden aesthetic. Better yet, have some fun with these and add a pop of color to the garden by painting them alternating bright colors, like green and yellow.
Collect rocks or small bushes or plants to line the pathway.
Pro tip: Hold each pallet in place with dirt or gravel: “Sand or gravel below a pallet walkway could also be a good idea. I just went with soil and it’s worked out fine. If the boards rot, I will simply replace them,” according to Funky Junk Interiors.
