21. Colander Hanging Basket
Materials Needed: Colander, liner, chains, compost, plants
Cost to Make: $10*
Presuming you’ve already got an old colander lying around, then this hack will cost you next to nothing – and it’ll look good, too. Using a colander as a hanging basket isn’t something most of us would think of, but in reality, it’s a novel idea.
Colander Hanging Basket @francesca_loleo / Pinterst.com
Not only does it look good, but it has perfect in-built drainage. Simply add chains, line it, pop in your compost and plants, and you’re ready to go. It’s a great way to reuse something that would otherwise end up in the landfill.
22. Use Diapers for Moisture
Materials Needed: Diapers
Cost to Make: $7*
Maintaining the right level of moisture for some plants is essential. Of course, this can often depend on what plant you’re looking after, but for those that like damp soil, then this hack is nothing short of pure genius.
Diapers for Moisture @apachev16 / Pinterest
We all know that diapers are great at retaining moisture. It’s what they’re built to do. So, next time you’re at Walmart, pick up a pack of Pampers for just under $7 and stick one in the bottom of your planter. The rest can be tucked away in the shed, ready to use at a moment’s notice.
23. Beer Slug Killer
Materials Needed: Beer, cup, or plate
Cost to Make: $2*
When it comes to garden enemies, slugs are the most wanted assailant. Gardeners have tried everything to keep the mollusks from eating their prized greens, but one of the most successful agents is actually beer.
Beer Slug Killer @staceyjlou / Pinterest
Pour beer into a saucer or into a cup that’s buried in the soil. Slugs are attracted to it, and will fall in. It may not be particularly nice for them, but it will save you a lot of time and money when it comes to replacing plants. No one wants a shredded dahlia or a holey rhododendron.
24. Upturned Fork Pest Deterrent
Materials Needed: Plastic forks
Cost to Make: $1*
Gardens often get ravaged by unwanted visitors like squirrels and other animals. Finding a way to keep them out is often a full-time job, but somewhere along the line, someone came up with this idea. All you need is a pack of plastic forks.
Upturned Fork Pest Deterent @the11best / Pinterest
Simply put them in the ground upturned, with spokes sticking upward. The spikes are strong enough to give the animal a slight scare but not enough to seriously hurt them, acting as a deterrent. Plus, you can buy packs of forks for just $1 a pop, making this hack very cost-effective.
25. Old Tire Planters
Materials Needed: Old tires, compost, plants, paint
Cost to Make: $10-$20*
You can often pick up old tires at scrap yards for next to nothing. In a lot of cases, they’re given away free if they aren’t roadworthy as they aren’t fit for anything. If you want to jazz up your garden with some interesting planters, try grabbing your paintbrush.
Old Tyre Planters @gra_roch / Pinterest
You can paint tires, line them, fill them with compost and use them as planters. What’s more, you can arrange them in all sorts of different ways to suit your decor. You don’t need a lot of skill to do this, either, even though it looks great.
26. Tin Can Lanterns
Materials Needed: Drill, old tin cans, tea light candles, paint
Cost to Make: $5-$10*
Tin cans often get repurposed for all sorts of different things. Luckily for gardeners, they can be utilized in multiple ways. You can paint them and make them planters, or you could get a little handier and make lanterns.
Tin Can Lanterns @moimalita1 / Pinterest
By using a drill to make holes in the sides, you can customize the pattern to suit your own taste. You can leave them as shiny metal or paint them before putting a tealight candle inside. In no time at all with very little money spent, you’ve got lovely garden lighting that the whole family will love.
27. Shoe Organizer Hanging Garden
Materials Needed: Shoe organizer, waterproof lining, compost, plants
Cost to Make: $30*
This particular hack might not be the cheapest one we’ve encountered, but that doesn’t make it any less worthy. Not every garden has bundles of space to plant different plants, which is what makes this idea so interesting.
Shoe Organizer Hanging Garden @lovepropertyuk / Pinterest
You can take a hanging shoe organizer, line each compartment with waterproof material, fill it up with compost, and use it as a horizontal garden. This is a great hack for herbs or trailing plants as not only does it save space, it brightens up the fence, too!
28. Cookie Cutter Tomato Shaper
Materials Needed: Cookie cutters, tomato plant
Cost to Make: $5*
Presuming you already have a tomato plant on the go, this idea is an inexpensive marvel. Even if you have yet to buy a tomato plant, it’s still cheap and cheerful. Tomatoes are by their very nature round, but what if you could change that?
Cookie Cutter Tomato Shaper @trucosdejardineria / Pinterest
It might seem like photoshop trickery, but these tomatoes are the result of something much simpler. As the tomatoes are growing, place cookie cutters around the fruit. As they continue to grow, the tomatoes will take on the same shape, resulting in hearts, stars, and everything in between!
29. Terracotta Meat Smoker
Materials Needed: Terracotta pot, grill, coal
Cost to Make: $20*
Barbecuing meat is a time-old tradition that brings to mind summer days and holidays like July 4th. It’s a wonderful thing to do, but what if you’re looking for something similar on not such a grand scale?
Terracotta Meat Smoker @chab253 / Pinterest
Terracotta pots provided the perfect shape for a meat smoker/mini barbecue. All you need to do is get a small grill that fits into the top, fill the bottom with coal, and put the meat on top. You can make one of these bad boys for as little as $20. Of course, the meat will be an added extra.
30. Garden Bed
Materials Needed: Wood, astroturf, cushions
Cost to Make: $100-$200*
This incredible creation isn’t anywhere near as cheap as some of the other hacks we’ve discussed, but it’s not exactly expensive, either. Garden furniture can be pricey, but if you buy some wood, fake grass, and a few cushions, you could remedy the situation for around $100-$200.
Garden Bed @mymodernmet / Pinterest
This requires a little more skill than some other garden hacks, but the result is more than worthwhile. With careful assembly, you’ve not got a run-of-the-mill table, but an entire garden bed that the family can lay out on when summer comes.