Repurpose Items
Here are just a few ideas of how you can resuse unwanted household items for your garden:
- Paint something old — like a broken instrument, typewriter, dresser, or birdcage — with waterproof spray paint and add it to your garden for a pop of color and unique flare.
- Transform household items into planters, whether it’s a pair of shoes, an old sink, a tea cup, or even an array of glass jars. It might sound silly, but little touches like these add a whole lot of personalization to your space.
- Bonus tip, if you have kids, let them decorate their own container, so they can easily identify which plant is theirs to take care of.
Update Items You Already Own
Instead of getting new outdoor furniture, paint or refinish your existing pieces. It will save you money and transform the piece into something “new.” If you want to go a simpler route, just try adding a few throw pillows for an easy but noticeable change.
If a major garden renovation is in your future, don’t forget to upcycling materials you currently have. Don’t worry — you won’t have to sacrifice the overall look of your garden. For example, in a recent project, we reused Chicago paver bricks and created a pathway. Not only did this save money, but it prevented perfectly good materials from ending up in a landfill.
Here is a list of items you can reuse in your “new” garden:
- Construction materials like brick, wood, stone, etc.
- Plant life — don’t waste the plants you already have! Transfer them into your new garden.
Let’s not forget about the everyday things you do to maintain your garden. These are totally approachable tips that anyone can do to make their carbon footprint just a tiny bit smaller:
- Compost!
- Composting is great because it puts your vegetable waste to good use rather than throwing it away. Compost improves soil structure which makes for happy plants.
- Grow an organic garden
- Growing your own food will prevent you from buying pricey organic produce at the grocery store. Additionally, since the food is grown locally (literally in your backyard) there are no mass transportation costs, which further lowers the environmental impact!
- Harvest rainwater
- Having a rain barrel is an effortless way to capture and reuse water for your garden. Try adding a screen to the top to keep out any insects and debris.
Want to take it to the next level? Ditch the grass and de-lawn your yard, especially if you live in a dry climate! De-lawning doesn’t have to be ugly, you can design your space so you don’t even miss grass.
Benefits of de-lawning include:
- Low maintenance — bye-bye lawn mower!
- More room for plants
- Conserves water
- No pesticides used to keep grass green
SOURCE:http://www.marthastewart.com/1502740/upcycle-household-goods-garden-celebrate-earth-day