Avid gardeners love being outside, getting their hands in the soil and watching young seedlings sprout to maturity. For many of us however, the season is too short or we live in apartments and condos where outdoor gardening space is limited. Indoor house plants are the next best thing. They bring beauty, fragrance and color indoors and will enhance your home with year round enjoyment.
One of the problems that many house plants face are low light, cool-ish temperatures, and, perhaps worst of all, low humidity. There are however several tropical house plants thatthat do very well in these rigid conditions and here are 10 most popular of them.
1- Dracaena Corn Plant
Like its namesake, this is an easy to grow and maintain tropical house plant that produces a main stem with long green leaves. The stems can grow to over four feet tall and can occasionally produce a small white flower at the top. They don’t need very much light or water and propagate easily if you want.
2- The Dragon Tree
This is one of the most popular house plants of a tropical nature to grow. They grow very slowly, taking about 10 years to reach full maturity height of five feet, but along the way they have a beautiful lush appearance with long thin leaves. These are such low maintenance plants that they can be left untouched for weeks with no effect. Direct sunlight can be harmful to the leaves, so the Dragon Tree is a great low light house plant. Related: Low light house plants.
3- Parlor Palm
If you have never grown house plants before, the Parlor Palm is a good one to start with. They thrive under low light conditions and require very little water. Just keep the soil a bit moist and with patience, the plant will mature to about three feet tall.
Here are some most common house plants of a more tropical variety that prefer indirect sunlight:
4- Jade Plant
Unlike the plants mentioned above, the Jade Plant requires lots of light, plenty of water at the right time, and produces thick oval shaped leaves. Pick a location in the house that provides a few hours of sunlight per day. When it comes to watering, it is a good idea to allow the soil to become fairly dry before giving the Jade a good drink. Drainage is important however, since water sitting around the roots can lead to rot. Lastly, a dose of weak fertilizer a couple of times per month will pay nice dividends. If conditions are right, some Jade plants will produce small white flowers in the winter. Related: air purifying plants.
5- African Violet
This is a wonderful tropical house plant to grow because it actually produces very colorful flowers that can be maintained for most of the year. There are many varieties of the African Violet, but their care is all the same. They thrive in bright light, but be careful to limit too much direct sunlight which can damage the leaves. Like the Jade Plant, watering as needed is good, but don’t allow accumulation at the bottom. Healthy African Violets are relatively small house plants that will mature to about 12 inches in diameter, which is a very manageable size.
6- Aloe Vera
Well known for various health benefits especially to clean indoor air, Aloe Veras are very easy to grow and maintain as house plants. Bright conditions are good, but like many other house plants, they should not be given too much direct sunlight. The Aloe Vera is a succulent which means that its leaves retain a lot of water, similar to cactus plants. They require very little watering, especially in winter, but just check the soil occasionally to make sure it remains moist. Related: small and large indoor plants.
7- Spider Plant
This could possibly be the most common of all tropical house plants, which may be due to the minimal care required to keep them flourishing. Keep them in a well lit location with no direct sunlight and provide plenty of water except in winter. Planted in a good potting mix, they really don’t need any fertilizer and they’ll produce attractive green leaves with a white stripe down the middle. The only other maintenance is removing the browning leaves as they die off so that new growth can continue.
Finally, here are three more house plants of a more tropical variety:
8- Bird of Paradise
Tolerant of some direct indoor sunlight, but requiring continuous moisture and high humidity, the Bird of Paradise is super colorful and an attractive addition to any home. While there are several varieties, make sure you grow what is called the “S. retinae”…the only one suitable for growing indoors. As with many tropical plants, you must have patience. It takes at least three years before you will see your first flowers and requires regular fertilizing. Related: indoor vine plants.
9- Anthurium
These are a bit more difficult to grow than most tropical house plants, but well worth the effort. Don’t let the temperature drop below 60 F. and make sure the soil is consistently moist. Beautiful heart shaped pink flowers can bloom throughout most of the year. Be prepared to re-pot every year or two.
10- Orchids
Popular around the world, the hardest thing about growing Orchids is selecting the variety you want…there are hundreds of them in a wide array of colors! When getting into orchids, it is a good rule if thumb to try to replicate their natural environment. They are, by nature, a climbing plant so provide them with good support. They like a good amount of light, high humidity and warm temperature of at least 60 F. Like the Jade plant mentioned above, it is a good practice to let the plants get fairly dry before offering them good drink. If you buy orchids from the store, wait until AFTER the first bloom and then go ahead and re-pot the whole plant.
There are hundreds of varieties of tropical house plants worth considering, so do a little research before you begin. Along with the ones mentioned above, think about English Ivy, Rubber Tree, Peace Lily, Snake Plants, Ficus, Shamrock Plants, Areca Palm, Fiddle Leaf Figs and so many more.
Bring a little bit of mother nature into your house. A selection of long lasting easy to grow house plants makes an attractive addition to any home. It’s the next best thing to being out in the garden itself!
Fruit flies (also known as Vinegar Flies) are common in households. Generally harmless, a fruit fly infestation is pretty disgusting, and for great reason. They use ripening and softening food (mostly fruit) to lay their eggs in, where the young larvae (they look like little white worms) crawl through the food and eat it as they grow. Of course, they poop in the food as they grow too. They can be brought home in many ways, but are usually brought in the home from the grocery store on produce or other food. You can’t get sick from fruit flies and their eggs and larvae, but again, the whole idea of them living in the food you eat is repulsive for many.
Homemade fruit fly traps have been made and improved upon for years as an alternative to chemicals for getting rid of flies. Homemade fly catchers are very effective. You don’t need to spend a lot of money or time ridding yourself of your swarm of fruit flies. Here are 10 of the best, quick, easy, and cheap DIY fruit fly catcher ideas that you can make at home. Also if you have some garden area you can grow these plants that repel flies.
1- Suck them up with this diy fly trap!
A homemade motorized fruit fly trap by instructables like this one attracts the flies with a smelly bait that they like (like vinegar), and literally sucks them into the trap with a motor and fan. Never again will a smart fly or two get away!
2- Fruit fly catcher made from common household stuff
This homemade fruit fly trap byinsects.about employs stuff that every single house has. A piece of plastic, a rubber band, and a container of any kind makes up this homemade fly killer. If you’re that much of in a pinch, you could probably find all of the makings of this trap discarded out on the street in many places.
3- Super simple yet very effective homemade fly catcher
This simple idea combines the same sort of bait that fruit flies can’t resist (vinegar) with a cone that’s easy to fly into but not fly back out of. Fruit flies fly into the hole of the bottom of the paper funnel cone and can’t fly back out- where you can drown them in the vinegar. Passive, yet extremely effective. This natural fly killer by getridoffliesguide is also non-toxic and safe to use in a home with a family.
4- Takes 30 seconds to make this homemade fly killer!
This is another incredibly simple DIY fruit fly trap by instructables that uses more very common household things that hide in junk drawers. There’s some really great bait suggestions in this DIY instruct-able too. Simply use what you see the flies attracted to like over ripe fruit on the kitchen counter. You may also like to see homemade tick repellents.
There are several species of fruit flies, and sometimes some fruit flies may be attracted to different baits than other flies. This yeast fruit flies trap by lancaster.unl.edu will attract All species of fruit flies, by offering a substance in a trap that the flies really enjoy laying their eggs into. Again, the ingredients for this homemade fruit fly trap are all very simple and easy to make.
This blog idea is chock full of methods of capturing flies that might appeal to the more cultured. Try using wine, alcohol, or incense. There’s even a homemade fly catcher idea by stylemepretty that’s quite appealing to the murder-minded. Simply try completely destroying fruit flies right out of the air with a hair dryer! Might be fun on a rainy day…
This is tough and attractive homemade fruit fly trap by curbly that will last a lifetime. Made from a simple mason jar and lid, you can find all of the makings of this trap from the same place you probably brought them home from- the grocery store.
8- A double whammy to get rid of the fruit flies fast!
This method of ridding your house of the fruit loving pests requires a very active and aggressive first step of manually capturing flies. The second step cleans up all the buggers you missed with a trap that lures them in. You could potentially rid your home of all of your flies with this one by husbandhood in a day with these two combined methods.
9- Super simple, easy to make and fast trap!
Another passive method of trapping and drowning flies, this trap employs a pop bottle and some form of liquid attractant that also drowns the hapless flies that make it into the trap. And yet another great idea in this article for bait, there are many kinds of baits that work great for killing fruit flies like this one by briellesavalon!
10- Several natural ideas to kill your fruit flies
Here are some more ideas for trapping and killing fruit flies by everydayroots using rotting fruit and other similar ingredients, but check out the recipe for a spray that works as a direct attack. Lemongrass and hot water kill the bugs on contact- so if you have a few fruit flies that are too stubborn for traps, this spray will pick them off in a flash. Oh, and it smells nice too! You may also like to see homemade pesticides.
11- Have paper, a cup, and a piece of apple? Now you have a trap!
Here’s a final example of how effective homemade fruit fly traps like this one by apartmenttherapy can be made with the simplest of ingredients. Try using some ripe and juicy apple with vinegar to lure in and drown those buggers once and for all. A simple homemade cone with paper and tape finish off the deadly assembly. You may also like to see mosquito and fly repellent plants.
No matter how much time we spend in the garden doing battle with unwanted pests, we will never win the war. There is no such thing as a perfect pest free garden. What we all have to do is learn the best way for pest management through the use of natural, organic and homemade pesticides.
The first thing to do is learn to distinguish between beneficial insects and those that do damage. Here is a basic list of “good guys” that we like to see in the garden:
Ladybugs: Attack any number of slow moving, soft shelled pests.
Fly Predators: Parasitic wasps that kill flies in their immature stage.
Green Lacewing: Their larva do the real work, killing hundreds of pests per week.
Praying Mantis: A ferocious killer that will attack any insect.
Whitefly Parasite: Excellent for killing white flies common in greenhouses.
Mealybug Destroyer: If you have a mealybug problem, the Destroyer is a very effective organic solution.
Predatory Mites: Great for attacking pest mites found on the underside of plant leaves.
Hover Flies: These look like bees, but they are really flies whose larvae feast on aphids.
Here is a partial list of the most common garden pests that we need to manage:
Aphids: Soft bodied insects that infest peas, beans and others.
Spider Mites: These look like tiny 8 legged spiders that dwell on the undersides of leaves and extract the sap from your garden plants.
Mexican Bean Beetle: Hard bodies insects, yellow/brown with 16 black spots. They remove leaf tissues between the veins giving your plants a skeleton like appearance.
Seedcorn Maggots: These maggots emerge as brownish colored flies in the spring and can damage seeds and seedlings, especially in moist environments.
Leaf Miners: These are flies whose larvae (maggots) can do serious damage to tomatoes, cucumbers, peas and beans.
Whiteflies: Piercing/sucking mouthparts will remove plant sap and leave honeydew behind which can transmit diseases.
Colorado Potato Beetles: A round black and tan beetle with black stripes, this beetle attacks potatoes, tomatoes, peppers and eggplant.
Cutworms: These are caterpillar pests that will cut the stem of tender young seedlings.
There are many moregarden pests out there so do your own research for your particular area and learn which pests must go and which are beneficial.
There are many good organic homemade pesticides on the market today, but make sure you target the pests you are going after. Most homemade pesticides will kill both beneficial as well as harmful insects, so don’t randomly spray entire plants without carefully observing who is living on the undersides of your leaves. It would be a shame to destroy a bunch of ladybugs when all you may have on your plants is a couple of potato beetles.
Many diy pest control remedies make very effective organic pesticides. Here are a couple of proven winners.
Homemade Pesticide Recipe #1
1/2 cup chopped hot peppers
2 cups of water
2 tablespoons of bleach free dish soap.
Puree all the ingredients and let sit for 24 hours. Pour into a spray bottle and apply to infected plants.
Homemade Pesticide Recipe #2
1 tablespoon of vegetable oil
1 teaspoon of dish soap (no bleach)
2 tablespoons of baking soda
2 quarts of water
Combine all these ingredients and pour into a spray bottle and apply as needed.
Homemade Pesticide Recipe #3
A simple cure for slugs is to set out a shallow container filled with beer and the slimy critters will just crawl in and drown.
Also, here are seven links to natural and homemade pesticide recipes. They all contain the basic ingredients of water, soap (with no bleach), repellent additives like garlic, peppers, onions, etc. As with any new pesticide, it is always a good idea to try them out on small section of your garden or even on an individual plant in order to observe the results. Here are some homemade pesticide recipes.
Of course one of the best methods of garden pest control is to eliminate the pests by hand. Most pests are nocturnal, so killing them at night is your best option. Take a flashlight out in the dark and carefully check your plants, especially under the leaves where most pests live and work. Pick off and destroy the culprits and it won’t take long to rid your garden of most of the damaging insects.
Lastly, think about the health of your soil. Good soil produces strong plants which thrive on proper ratios of various nutrients. Poor soil produces undernourished plants and thus too many carbohydrates, which pests thrive on. The practice of organic gardening will also help with your battle against pests. Natural biological control of your garden is good for the environment and confusing to pests. Keep good garden records about what plants grow well for you and which ones don’t, which pesticides work best against which insects, and trust your own experiences (not necessarily relying on the advice of others).
We’ll never get rid of all the pests in our gardens, but we can certainly manage them better with a little diligence, research and commonsense applications.
No matter how diligent and experienced you are as a gardener, things don’t always go as planned. Mother Nature has many ways of frustrating our efforts through weather, varmints, disease, garden pests, etc. Slugs and snails can be one of the most destructive creatures we face every season. They are efficient plant killers and getting rid of slugs and snails early in the spring should be a high priority.
How to Kill Slugs and Snails
Before beginning a slug and snail termination program, we have to know what to look for. The slimy critters can be difficult to find, especially during the day, because they hide in moist dark places like underneath rotting leaves and rocks or wood laying on the ground. It is actually easier to spot early damage and then go after them before they really take hold of a plant.
You should routinely inspect your garden everyday especially in the spring when tender young leaves are most vulnerable. If you see holes in your plants or encounter leaves whose edges have scallop shaped bites, you have a slug problem. Don’t wait! Get started immediately and kill the slugs and snails. Early intervention will save your crops! You may also like to see homemade fruit fly traps.
Physical measures
Obviously, the most effective course of action is to physically catch and squish the little devils. If you go out to the garden at night or during a dark rainy day, you will see slugs chomping away. If you are a bit queazy about wearing rubber gloves and squishing them, you can also drop them into a pail of soapy water, or gather them up into a container and spray with a solution of water and ammonia. If you follow this procedure on a daily basis for two or three weeks, you will most likely have eliminated the problem and can then slow down your plan to get rid of snails in the garden to once a week.
Keep away compost pile from snails and slugs
There are also some good preventative tactics you should use to get rid of slugs and snails. One is to make sure your compost pile is well away from the garden itself. To slugs and snails, the compost pile is like living in a luxury hotel! All those rotting leaves, piles of wet lawn clippings and other garden wastes are like heaven to garden slugs. You should also try to keep the area around the base of your plants clean. Leaves that are growing low on the stems aren’t going to produce anything so you may as well cut them off which eliminates convenient hiding places. You may also like to see plant to keep fly and mosquitoes away.
Time of watering
Watering in the morning is also a good practice. Since slugs and snails are nocturnal and attracted to moisture, if you irrigate at night you’ll be sending them a message that now is a great time to come out for dinner.
Use of snail and slug baits to get rid of them
Today there are a number of safe and effective snail and slug baits that can be purchased at any garden center that are designed for killing slugs and snails. These slug baits contain iron phosphate and when eaten by the garden slugs, they will avoid your plants and crawl off to die in a couple of days. Be sure to apply the slug bait around the base of your plants after it rains or after you have irrigated. The moisture will lure the garden slugs out of hiding. Iron phosphate will not hurt your plants so you have nothing to worry about by sprinkling the bait throughout your garden. Remember, slugs and snails are most active in the spring, so lay your snail bait down early. While they may take some time off in the summer, they will return during rainy fall days which is when they lay their eggs. Another application then is a good idea. You may also like to see homemade pesticides.
Natural predators and flowers
Lastly, don’t forget about natural predators who love to feed on slugs and snails. Toads, frogs, chickens,beetles, garter snakes, birds, etc. will make a serious dent in your slug population. There are also several flower varieties that are bothersome to slugs and snails such as marigolds and black-eyed susans, ferns and ornamental grasses, astilbe, foxglove, mint and many many others. Plants some of these throughout the garden to serve as a barrier to garden snails and slugs. You may also like to see getting rid of moles.
Sprinkle some coffee ground
Since most of the world drinks coffee, here is one final tip. Slugs and snails hate the stuff, so make use of this slug repellent and feel free to sprinkle some spent coffee grounds right on top of the soil near your plants. You don’t need a whole lot…just a light dusting will do the trick.
Trees can be distinguished on the basis of several factors like their height, support and rootstock. Both of the dwarf fruit trees and the miniature fruit trees are relatively smaller in size but they have different rootstocks’ (stump or part of roots that is used for grafting of cutting or bud of another plant) in order to keep up with their significant sizes;also varying with the height and need of support. A dwarf fruit tree could be 8-10 feet however a miniature tree remains between 6-8 feet keeping it smaller.
Dwarf fruit trees that are commonly available include nectarine, olive, pear, peach, apricot, apple, cherry, fig, citrus and quince.
Four Methods to Reduce Fruit Tree Size
The dwarf fruit trees usually on the smaller trees produce regular sized fruits but while buying such trees the end use is also considered. Potted fruit trees on the other hand in cold regions require picking a tree enduring to the zones than the current one.
Dwarfing rootstocks
Genetic Dwarf Fruit Trees
Branch pruning use in the pots
Control of Pruning in order to Produce Miniature Fruit Trees
7 Popular Dwarf or Miniature Fruit Trees
A list of famous dwarf Fruit Trees to grow in a limited space is as follows:
1- Dwarf Apple Tree
Dwarf apples tree is a sort of resilient and tough tree type that can bare freezing temperature of 45 degrees or less. Such trees grow in assorted conditions at small spaces and can take around three years for this. Apples thrive best in drier soil and a drier climate could make it even precious. Proper care is a compulsion in order to get quality fruit so if there is a drenched climate than apple trees want a constant drainage. Small fruit trees can estimate a less production of apples like an apple tree of about 3-4 foot may give 45 apples in variety. Popular varieties are Fuji and red delicious and the common rootstocks are Malling or the Cornell-Geneva, M27 and M9 are helpful in producing smallest ones. Pots are helpful in dwarfing the plants; pot size should be at least 16-18 inches or more.
2- Dwarf Cherry Tree
Cherry trees can grow in the pots and produce quality fruit if care is done properly. These small fruit trees are unable to give fruit if 2 years old branches are not there; however it is also important to note that all the varieties cannot thrive in pots. Such trees need below 45 degrees F and preferable to be grown in sandy loam mixture of soil. Dwarf sweet cherry trees than the large ones can give about 10-15 quarts each year. Well-drained soil with sunlight could be the considerable sources for the fruit production. These should be spaced on dwarfed rootstocks about 5-10 feet apart. The pot size should be big for such trees like across 18 inches. The common rootstocks for cherries could be Colt or Gisela 5.
3- Dwarf Pear Tree
Another kind of dwarf fruit tree is pear dwarf tree, pears could be considered as the largest of such varieties pruning in early spring or winter. Slightly rich acidic soil with a pH of 6.0-6.5 with sunlight is favorable for this fruit tree. Such trees are spaced about 8 feet apart and semi-dwarf at 13feet apart. Pear fruit trees are winter favorable trees having temperature about -25 degrees F. Container should be deep and minimum of 24inches. Common rootstocks for dwarf pear trees include EMH, Quince A and Quince C.
4- Dwarf Apricot Tree
The dwarf varieties of this fruit can be produced with the help of containers. Early spring is the season for apricots to bloom; trees are strong enough to cope with winter temperature about 20 degrees F. These small fruit trees can be planted any time except when it is extreme hot. They need much warmth during the summer, however 2-3 years old is good to be bought at buying time. Several colors of such trees could be seen in the yard like white in the blossoms, bronze foliage and yellow in the fall. It is one of the stone fruit tree like peach, cherry and nectarine. Pears must be spaced 20 feet apart in general and is usually 5-10 feet in height. Common rootstocks include Citation, Lovell, St.Julien and pot size could be 10-15 inches.
5- Dwarf Orange Tree
Planting fruit tree like this comes in the citrus category like lemons, mandarins. It can preferably be grown in wide pots rather than deep pots as it has a shallow root system; a dwarf orange tree is a potted fruit tree to harvest; preferring indoor planting conditions. However, sun rooms make it healthy for the tree. These small fruit trees cannot be more than 3-4 feet tall while other varieties can be of 8-12 feet, self-pollinating with rich soil. Preferable temperature is 65-45 degrees F at day and 50-55 degrees F at night. One common rootstock could be Trifoliate. The pots allowing free drainage with about 6-9 inches diameter is suitable for these trees.
6- Dwarf Avocado Tree
Avocado dwarf fruit tree is an ideal one as it bears fruit throughout the year, not able to deal with temperature below freezing. If sunshine is proper then it can take below 30 degrees F indoor, varying to harvest in summer or winter depending upon tree type. These growing fruit trees could be from 10-12 feet tall producing fruits in 1-3 years. Avocado trees demands sandy loam, able to withstand alkaline soil too. These trees can be about 3-4 feet tall and enjoys full sun, temperature to deal with cold is 28 degrees F. Large pots would produce quality ones of about 20+ gallon.
7- Dwarf Plum Tree
This dwarf plum fruit tree is grafted not affecting the fruit size. A container of about 12 inches in diameter is appropriate with protection from frost. These trees need either less or no pruning and spacing should be about 15-20 feet apart. If pruning is required then only March and September are favorable. Sunlight is good for production along with well drained soil. This tree starts production by 3 year; 2m in height and width and could also be used for jams. The common rootstocks include Pixy or St Julien A .The soil conditions should be loamy and best temperature for storing is about 31-32 degrees F.
Aside from the visual aspects of gardening and enjoying the sights and smells of flowers, another natural element to introduce is sound. Creating an audio element from DIY wind chimes is a great way to add to the ambience of a garden. Creating homemade wind chimes can be a fun and creative project to add art into the outdoor landscape.
There are many projects online geared towards how to make your own wind chimes. Homemade wind chimes allow for unique individuality in artistry. Feel free to create a vintage, cottage, rustic, or modern look to DIY wind chimes. Below are twenty-three DIY projects for how making wind chimes for the garden.
1- Found Objects Wind Chime
Creating a set of homemade wind chimes like this one by handmadecharlotte from natural or found objects is a great way to construct a unique audio element for the garden or patio area. Utilizing acorns or beech nuts which have fallen from the trees while incorporating plastic ice cream spoons is a great way to get kids involved in garden design. Adding extra accessories like found bird feathers or colorful leaves is a nice art project for marking the autumn weather season changes.
Using plant material from the garden, such as cut and dried bamboo can be a great use of garden utilization. If bamboo is not found in the garden, using a simple hollow bamboo stake can be an easy swap. Bamboo grows so quickly that it is a sustainable material to use to replace other wood projects. Using different lengths and thicknesses for the bamboo creates different sounds for the wind chimes.
Clam shells found along the water and on the beach are another great resource for found, natural elements to create sound in the garden. Whether using a keepsake from a beach trip or purchasing a collection of clam shells, screwing holes in clam shells, and arranging them like a chandelier or rain chain structure can be a great project. The clam shells will create a unique sound unlike many other wind chime materials.
Indoor wind chimes that add elements of sophistication and design can be a creative DIY project. Using materials found at the local hardware store, this DIY wind chime project by food52 uses metal washers, filament, wire, leather, and anything else that can be found to be useful. This project incorporates an old set of chimes to enhance the sound element of the DIY design. Alternatively, there are many other metal items such as metal plumbing pipe that can create chimes. Wood and metal elements can bring various shapes to the design while also creating different unique sound combinations.
Dreamcatchers are something that are used to help catch bad dreams and keep them out of your head while sleeping. The use of dreamcatchers as a wind chime design like this one by instructables sparks a lot of creativity for both indoor and outdoor use. Using lace, thread, and beads to create individual dreamcatchers that hang underneath a much larger one can be a long process. Try taking an existing dreamcatcher and creating smaller ones to hang, considering sound creations to get the chimes.
Using copper pipe for plumbing, different lengths of pipe can be cut to create different sounds or notes. Wood, string, and copper pipe make this DIY wind chime project by chicaandjo simple. Experiment with different lengths of pipe or follow the video tutorial which ranges in sizes of ten inches to twenty-two inches long.
This tutorial at wikihow provides different tips for creating and tuning wind chimes to sustain sounds for a pleasant garden experience. Using metal chimes helps sustain sound longer while metal pipes have a higher pitch. Many purchased chimes have five notes in scale, so that can be a jumping off point for a pleasing and familiar wind chime sound. Experiment with lengths of pipe to see what length creates what type of sound. You can test the sound with a tuning application on a smartphone.
A fantastic idea for creating a wind chime by instructables with already tuned materials is to repurpose a children’s xylophone toy. Using the individual metal plates for the xylophone, you can create magic with selective tones. You could even repurpose the striker for the wind chimes. Hanging this wind chime in the garden or even on the patio where children will be able to hear the familiar sounds is a great idea.
Collecting buttons either taken off clothes or from second-hand stores can be an alternative and creative material for creating a DIY wind chime by craftsbyamanda. Combined with recycled tin can tops for weight, this tutorial can be a fun project to do with kids. Buttons can also be purchased at craft stores. All it takes are buttons, can tops, and some string for a fun audible craft.
Another fun wind chime tutorial by craftsbycourtney specifically tailored for children with beads and paint that is more decorative than specifically geared towards sounds in the garden. Allow kids to make decorative strings of beads for this project while also picking out a nice piece of driftwood. Make this project a weekend art activity.
Making a DIY wind chime like this one by instructables can be done with found objects as well as recycled objects. This tutorial is a step-by-step process for creating a unique wind chime lamp from many different materials. This DIY homemade wind chime lamp features battery powered LED lights for an added nighttime benefit. Let creativity run wild with the objects and materials used with this ten-step wind chime lamp tutorial.
Incorporating the use of terra cotta plant pots that can be found at any hardware, craft, or garden store is an inexpensive way to DIY a wind chime like this one by houseofjoyfulnoise that can be customized to your liking. The tutorial features a design where the terra cotta pots fit inside each other with some space for the wind to clang them together for the sounds. Putting an old metal spoon or fork on the end as a striker is a cute idea as well. Terra Cotta pots can be easily painted to fit any décor theme.
Creating a fun and easy wind chime like this one by kenarry using old keys that have lost their purpose is a good idea for garden décor. With changing locks or moving into a new house, old keys tend to gather and collect without any reason to really throw them away. You can create a key wind chime using old plastic or terra cotta pots as well as beads, string, twine, and old keys. A metal striker for the keys such as an old utensil can be used for creating the sounds of the chime against the wind.
This tutorial is more of a visual art project with pipe cleaners and other children’s art supplies making up the visual interest of the wind chime like this one by onecrazymom. Alternatively, the tutorial suggests the addition of copper pipe and fishing line to make it more of a true wind chime with sound. Using pipe cleaners and felt balls could be a great way to dampen the sound of the copper tubing to maintain calm sounds. Visual interest is more of the focus with this tutorial, but different lengths of pipe can be added for more of a visual and auditory experience.
Imagine repurposing silverware and dinner plates for use in the garden! With this wind chime tutorial, you can reuse some old China pattern plates from storage for a creative wind chime DIY project like this one by interiorfrugalista. Using silverware or utensils for eating food is an added whimsical part of this cool tutorial. The silverware wind chime uses a cup and saucer set for the top portion with silverware hanging down for the chimes. In another variation, you could use a dinner plate and hang a cup in the middle from the handle for a wind chime striker against the silverware. Create a fun themed wind chime from this tutorial.
Wind chimes like this one by craftingagreenworld generally need metal to be able to carry a higher pitched sound. In other tutorials, other found objects are used but with this tutorial the canning lids are both inexpensive and readily available. Canning lids can be a great, safe material to use for creating a unique wind chime project. Not only incorporating the canning lids but also painting the lids with paint to make a more individualized garden art piece. Using a simple wood or metal ring and some string, this wind chime project can be done in a few simple steps.
A cut-glass wind chime project like this one by savedbylovecreations may seem like a more expert-level activity, but glass cutters are available in many hardware stores. Using mason jars or a glass jar from a purchased food item is a great way to incorporate the use and design elements of glass in the garden without the risk of dealing with broken glass. Cutting the bottom off a mason jar enables it to function much like a bell. Adding beads and chain or metal washers can provide more sound combinations to the project. Cut glass needs to be sanded to make a smooth edge and then it can be used outdoors and without worry.
A fantastic tutorial idea for creating a Valentine’s Day wind chime like this one by notimeforflashcards using melted plastic beads to create red, white, and clear hearts as chimes. This smart idea entails the use of plastic beads, the stove, and a heart-shaped silicone pan. Filling the silicone pan mold can be done by kids while the stove use can be done by adults. Hot gluing the cooled hearts to string and hanging them from a stick can be a great Valentine’s Day project.
A wonderful use of local craft store supplies and jewelry-making supplies is to use beads, string, and stone or gem pendants for creating a DIY wind chime like this one by instructables. Made from glass beads, silver chain, and stones meant for necklace pendants, this DIY jewelry wind chime is a fun project that can be used indoors or outdoors. Add a cool color scheme for the visual interest of the wind chime. Adding ribbon or a hollow striker in the middle for making sound with the stone pendants will make this a wonderful wind chime project.
A homemade wind chime like this one by frogsandsnailsandpuppydogtail that puts the chime sound and uses jingle bells is a great idea for a creative homemade DIY project. Reusing and repurposing old bottle caps that can be spray painted and accessorized with jingle bells and colorful wire is a cool outdoor art project. This tutorial is short and sweet in creating bottle cap jingle bell wind chimes. Adding multiple strands of wire, caps, and bells in succession can be a creative way to add sound to the garden in a fun and funky way.
Getting children involved in art projects and DIY garden projects is always a good idea, especially when using repurposed items and fun decorative colors. Creating a simple wind chime design like this one by giving.innerchildfun with old keys is a great way to spark creativity and interest with kids. Children can have fun painting and decorating old keys and tying them up for use as an outdoor wind chime. Add a metal or hollow striker in the middle and the keys can produce sound in the wind. This homemade wind chime project can be completed in five simple steps.
Imagine going on a trip to the beach and collecting some seashells and a piece of driftwood. Why not remember a fun adventure by turning those beachside items into a wind chime for the patio or garden? With this tutorial, in just a few simple steps, creating a beach themed wind chime like this one by poindextr.wordpress can be simple for indoor or outdoor use. Add colored beads or buttons for some added colors to the strands of shells.
Creating a wind chime like this one by happyhooligans that has wood sounds like bamboo but with the use of found sticks in the garden, can be a great alternative when you don’t have access to dried bamboo. This painted stick wind chime project is simple and easy. Painting sticks in a rainbow color theme is a great way to add color to the garden when the garden colors start to fade or when the flowers have yet to bloom.
There are many unique and creative ways to add a wind chime to the garden with any of the twenty-three DIY projects listed above. It is important to be creative and artistic when it comes to any DIY project. Utilize found objects or readily available items that can be recycled or repurposed into a wind chime project. Don’t forget to have children join in on the fun and introduce them into how gardening can be an interesting hobby for all ages alike.
Summer is the time to make the most out of DIY garden ideas that are found browsing online throughout the year. There are many clever and simple ideas that many gardeners have implemented into their own gardens to create amazing landscapes. Garden projects don’t need to be complex or expensive, there are many simple and cheap DIY garden ideas that anyone can incorporate into their landscaping adventures.
Find DIY garden decorating ideas by clicking through the list of twenty-one unique tutorials we have prepared for you. Add some fun and personalized elements to the garden while also incorporating the help of kids and family. Gardening and outdoor spaces offer plenty of opportunities to spend time connecting with the natural world. Go ahead and start creating with these DIY gardening ideas we have collected for you round the internet sites.
1- Creating an Outdoor Candlelight Chandelier
A cool and clever garden decoration idea by sunset for bringing indoor light fixtures out to the garden is a garden chandelier. Recreating a homemade chandelier which uses candles rather than electric lights is great to avoid all the complications of electrical outlets and hazardous cords left out in the weather.
Repurposing a wire basket from the home or a local thrift store is a great DIY garden idea on a budget. Adding some crystal accessories as well as some scented candles can bring this chandelier project to a higher design sophistication. Here are some more intersting diy garden ideas around the site: diy garden markers.
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2- Vintage Wooden Toolbox Planters
A cheap DIY garden idea by satoridesignforliving that can also be homemade is to take something vintage like old wooden tool boxes and turn them into planter boxes for the garden. Using found or purchased wooden tool boxes, creating ideas for upcycling these vintage boxes can bring out a lot of creativity. Using paint and stencils, a unique garden decoration idea can create special moments in the yard.
Many gardeners know the benefits of having an area where they can work on potting plants. With a size and height that is customizable to the gardener, building this garden potting bench by burkatron is a great idea. With the mess that tends to happen when working with potting soil and the tools of the trade, incorporating a potting bench at a comfortable height can save a gardener undue strain.
The simple design of this potting bench allows for anyone at any skill level to construct this bench. With the base plan, DIY gardeners can customize this design for their needs. When not in use for potting plants, it can also double as a decorative plant stand. Here are some more intersting diy garden ideas around the site: diy rain chain.
Reuse wood from a discarded pallet to build a hidden hose holder like this one by diycandy. Forget about having to wind up a hose left on the ground near the outdoor water connection. Creating a hidden garden hose holder that is concealed as a wooden planter is a great DIY garden idea.
With a planter on top and hose storage on the bottom, the hinged access door provides storage of the garden hose when not in use. Using simple tools like a drill and a saw, this project can be completed in one or two hours. This DIY tutorial has plenty of photos and descriptions to go from start to finish without questioning the next step. Here are some more intersting diy garden ideas around the site: diy bird feeder.
Just as builders and construction workers utilize tool belts to hold and carry hand tools around the job site, with this handy DIY garden idea, gardeners can get the same benefits. Create a customizable garden apron that can hold several hand tools for planting or weeding the garden.
If there is no room such as a shed to store garden tools, a DIY garden apron like this one by satoridesignforliving is a wonderful solution for keeping hand tools within reach when tackling gardening projects and weekly tasks. Planning out the pocket sizes for garden hand tools creates the customization every gardener needs.
Choose a fabric pattern that fits personality and make this fun garden apron for practical use every day. This garden apron could easily be a no-sew project with stitch witchery fusible bonding tape.
Rather than taking a wood pallet and deconstructing it for other wood projects, use the design of the pallet as an easy way to have a garden friendly gardening table. Using hinges and pull-down chains, a foldable and space saving garden table is a fantastic idea.
Using two pallets hinged together, this design is like a murphy bed design that allows the pallet tabletop to be raised or lowered. Make sure to anchor the pallet to the exterior wall in studs to take the weight of the pallet wood and garden supplies when in use.
This cheap DIY garden idea by jennaburger creates a drop-down pallet table that folds up on a shed, garage, or home exterior wall and out of the way when not in use. The spacing in the pallet creates an ideal way to reduce spilled potting soil or spent leaves from cluttering up the workspace.
A truly inspiring DIY garden idea by theidearoom, this vertical garden flower wall is a great way to add some color to a plain wall or fence without permanently affixing a heavy structure to a vertical surface. Much like the design of a bedroom headboard, the design of this vertical flower wall has posts at either end that help take the weight of the structure.
The wood used in constructing this DIY flower wall can be painted or stained to individualize the surrounding area. Using additional wood lattice work, found at any hardware store pre-made, this vertical flower wall has sophistication at a DIY level.
Disposing of old tires is expensive and can be potentially harmful to the environment. Why not create a DIY garden pond like this one by cutediyprojects or planter by repurposing the shape and durability of the tires? With this DIY fish pond tutorial, gardeners can create an above ground fish pond or planter.
Stack two or three tires together while filling the inner rings with sand to create weight and structure to hold up against the weight of the water. Using plastic sheeting or a small pond liner, the interior of the tires can be covered to create the circular pond area for water. This project can also be used to DIY a large circular planter for statement garden plants.
Have a collection of old golf balls? If someone in the house plays golf or collects discarded golf balls, why not turn them into cool cheap DIY garden idea like these ones by cutediyprojects?! Incorporate personalized artwork with a bit of fun and humor. This simple DIY garden idea can be limitless to the artsy design potentials. Through this tutorial, fun little ladybug decorations were created but other themes can also be created to fit specific garden themes.
Taking inspiration from pallet wood vertical garden planters by ourlittleacre.blogspot, why not use an old pallet to create a vertical garden tool organizer? This is a cool idea for gardeners who do not have extra space in a shed or garage to organize all their necessary garden tools.
Rather than purchasing expensive tool organization systems made specifically for garages, try, and repurpose a free wooden pallet for a vertical organizing and storage area for garden tools. Easily affix the vertical pallet to an exterior wall. This DIY project can also be used to hang a wound-up hose to keep it off the ground and out of the way from mowing the lawn.
Previously having highlighted a DIY project like this one by penick about turning a stock tank into a pool, utilizing a stock tank for a garden pond is another iteration for the many uses of repurposing stock tanks for the garden. A stock tank is the perfect depth for being able to incorporate water lilies and fish into the pond.
Create a flat, stable base where the stock tank once filled with water will not sink into the ground. Using bricks or concrete blocks can create different surfaces and heights to place potted water plants. Adding fish to the stock tank pond can be another enjoyable aspect.
Using fleece fabric strips or various types of yarn, creating a concrete orb for the garden is as simple as following the same methods of papier-mache. Using a concrete mixture that can be purchased at any hardware store, some yarn, and an inflatable beach ball, some wonderful garden art can be created to add some cheap DIY décor to the yard.
Creating these concrete garden orbs by madebybarb would be a great idea to use extra concrete that is left over after creating other concrete DIY projects like stepping stones. This project needs a small amount of concrete to soak and cover the strips of fleece or yarn. Here are some more intersting diy garden ideas around the site: diy squirrel feeders.
Take an old, worn-out garden hose and rather than throwing it away, turn it into a comfy homemade outdoor rug or kneeling cushion like this one by markkintzel. Using E6000 glue or a similar adhesive product, glue hose pieces together to create an oval structure. If cutting the oval hose structure in half for a rug near a door, the cut ends can be stabilized by using used wine corks.
Another unique purpose for this project would be to create a kneeling pad for when having to kneel in the garden. The flexible rubber hose can act as cushioning while also protecting from rocks, dirt, and wet soil while kneeling in the garden.
Being able to see the house address in the dark is a potential safety risk if emergency services need to locate a home at night. A cool and simple DIY garden decoration idea by theseasonalhome is a solar powered address sign. Using a solar powered lantern, affixing laminate numbers to the solar powered lantern and hanging it in the front of the home is a great DIY garden idea.
This idea is so simple and practical that even kids can do this for a gift or as a way of incorporating their participation into gardening. Adding a second solar powered lantern that invites guests with a welcoming phrase could also be done for symmetrical night garden décor.
If searching for a simple weekend patio project to add privacy or design to a garden patio, then this tutorial is a great idea. Wooden privacy screens to dress like this one by designwinedine up a plain concrete wall or to provide some privacy is a simple solution. The horizontal slat design provides some architectural elements to the garden.
The tutorial uses pre-made panels from IKEA. Alternatively, constructing these panels from one by two-inch strips, the panel structures can also double as a vertical hanging planter wall. A perfect idea for individuals who live in apartments or condos where there is no gardening space. Make sure to use some wall anchors to affix these panels to an exterior wall if hanging plants to these outdoor panels.
Creating DIY garden art to add personal touches to the garden are always great ideas. Adding personality to a garden allows for creating vignettes and statements in the yard. A fun DIY garden art idea by bobbiesgirl-carole.blogspot is creating simple mushroom art pieces from unused items.
This DIY garden decoration idea incorporates the use of old bowls, dead longs, and a little spray paint. The painted bowls need to be screwed or nailed to a dead log or thick branch and staked in the garden. These DIY mushrooms are a simple garden art project. Include kids in this project or create a surreal storybook design for a true garden statement piece. These DIY garden mushrooms would be perfect for a fairy garden or to add color to a heavily shaded part of the garden.
Instead of using an old, discarded tire as a raised planter on the ground like this one by diyshowoff, why not hang it on the wall and create a unique plant box! Using the waterproof rubber design in a way that works to hold soil, roots, and water; creating a circular vertical plant structure is a cool garden idea. Paint the old tire with a weather resistant paint to help incorporate it to the rest of the garden decoration design.
Getting kids to interact outdoors can be difficult with all of the electronics that they seem addicted these days. Why not create a natural play area in the garden for kids to use their imaginations while also enjoying the elements of nature? A garden hideaway for kids like this one by joyfultoddlers.blogspot can be a simple project that also provides vertical structure for plants and vines to grow in the garden.
Create a little trellis house for kids to be able to play in while also supporting vertical growing plants and crops. It will be the best of both worlds. Take some pre-made lattice made for privacy or fencing and build a three-walled structure that provides shelter and shade in the garden. Kids will be attracted to the hideaway and privacy that the structure provides.
19- Skateboard Deck Swing
A cool and kid-friendly DIY garden idea by littlebitfunky is creating a swing from a skateboard deck. When thinking about the design of a skateboard deck, turning it into a swing seems like a great, practical idea. The deck already has holes and grip tape to create a non-slip surface. Use rope or chain as the swinging cord while also using carabiners.
Turning a skateboard deck into a swing for children, larger holes need to be drilled into the skateboard. After this step, the rest of this cheap and budget friendly DIY garden project idea does not require any tools. Simply tying knots and attaching rope to a tree limb or horizontal wood post can complete the project.
Getting garden plants such as herbs off the ground where they can spread or be taken over by weeds are some of the reasons to create a vertical garden structure. Creating a hanging vertical garden with multiple rows of planting space can be a great space saving idea for apartment or condominium patios.
Short lengths of PVC gutter material like this one by goodshomedesign with end caps make this project easy and accessible to any level of DIY gardener. The PVC gutters can be hung with one-eighth inch steel cable which allows for strength. The steel cables can be easily attached to eye hooks. Planting herbs or annuals in this hanging garden is a great idea.
There are several large wooden shed designs like this one by thecavenderdiary that can be purchased and placed in the garden. It is more difficult to find smaller sheds that have the same quality wooden design at a smaller budget-friendly price. Building a small, lean-to shed for garden storage is a practical DIY project for many gardeners to clear space in the garage.
This project tutorial encompasses improvements made to an already existing woodshed design for maximum use and built-to-last construction. The design elements in this tutorial can be implemented to create a wooden shed for garden tool storage. Having a well-built garden shed can be great without having to deal with local building code requirements.
There are several DIY garden ideas for creating useful and practical design elements in the yard. Hopefully the twenty-one DIY projects in this article can provide inspiration to create and add to the garden. Gardens are outdoor living spaces that extend the personality of the homeowners and their design aesthetics. Rather than investing in mass produced garden projects, incorporate personality and a “can-do” attitude to landscape and gardening adventures.
With the hotter summer weather and getting back to some type of normal daily activity, it is a great time to get back to some DIY projects to enhance outdoor and sustainable living. Planning a garden these days can require many steps and hours of preplanning, creating garden beds and getting soil conditions exactly right. Combine these laborious duties with having to try and keep pests such as squirrels, moles, rabbits, and deer away from your plants as well.
Going vertical with your garden is a great option for getting the most out of your limited space. A DIY plant wall can give you the garden space you need. Vertical green walls or living walls can be found in many major cities and can be both an environmental installation or an artistic display.
The sight of natural greenery against a wood or cement structure, especially in an urban environment is a welcome sight. Save time and money while taking your gardening skills and DIY project hacks to new heights with a look at some DIY vertical plant wall projects.
Let’s look at 13 DIY vertical plant wall projects you can create to enhance the efficiency, yield, and appeal of your garden and landscape.
1- DIY Vertical Planter Ladder
In this first DIY plant wall project by angelamariemade, building a simple DIY wall planter ladder design out of wood can provide a great way to add a DIY garden wall to an existing property or privacy fence. The great thing about this project is not only is it a simple design, it also allows you to use some existing planters instead of making your own planters.
The best part of this project is it should only cost about $25 to buy materials to make it. The simple design also allows for winter storage if needed in colder climates. Fix a boring fence panel in your yard with this hanging planter ladder.
The next DIY project is a great architectural way of incorporating a DIY vertical planter like this one by homemadelovely to your outdoor garden space. Encompassing the use of some cedar fence boards and some chicken wire, this garden wall arbor can provide you with a touch of privacy while still maintaining an open, airy effect. Constructing this arbor design is sure to elevate your gardening space.
Combining the use of terra cotta pots and handmade wire pot hangers is also a great use of available resources that you may already have around the shed or garage. This vertical garden wall design can hold around 35 small pots which is a great space saving method for adding even more plants to your yard.
To enhance the strength of the vertical chicken wire mesh, you could replace it with wire mesh rebar. Using a solid wire mesh rebar would make it look great if you decided to take the pots off for the winter months.
Repurposing items from the local hardware store is a great way to get your motivation going to take on DIY projects like this DIY living wall by curbly. With repurposing some wire mesh rebar made for setting inside concrete to provide structure, this simple DIY design can be used outdoors or indoors.
What is great about this project is how light the overall structure is so you can simply hang it from hooks on the wall or an indoor ceiling. Using some spray paint on the wire mesh provides even more opportunities to seamlessly integrate a green wall into your home design. For cutting the wire mesh rebar to fit your space, all you need is a small handheld hack saw which can be found at any hardware store.
If you add a grow light to this project, you can even enhance and reclaim a once dark area of the home into a bright and useful space all year long. If you want to move the living wall to another area of the home or garden, just add a fresh new color of spray paint to go with your design aesthetic.
Moving on up into the realm of using reclaimed wood from shipping pallets, here is a DIY vertical planter by beersnbeans.blogspot to secure to the wall. This DIY design can be completed in less than one day and will cost less than $100.
The project design eliminates the need for separate containers for each plant. By using a shipping pallet that you can literally pick up off the curb, not only can you save money but you can save space as well. Go vertical with a little patience and creativity by recreating this DIY recycled vertical planter!
For this project, some tools are required, such as a staple gun and a hammer. Properly securing garden fabric and plastic sheeting will be essential to making sure that soil and water do not spill out of your new DIY plant wall.
Imagine a leather and wood trellis structure that incorporates design and function into your home or patio area? This DIY green wall by vintagerevivals is the best of both worlds. By using leather strips found in the furniture reupholstery section of a craft store, this DIY teaches you to create leather plant holders that attach to the latticework design of the wood trellis.
With a little bit of math and figuring out how to cut and create different angles, this diamond trellis design will add dimension and design to a once sparse wall. Spacing the plants at each intersection of wood pieces creates an airy, uncluttered effect. Try this plant wall project out and get creative with the paint color and plant variety possibilities.
Boasting more of a gutter style plant wall design, this tutorial encompasses wood, rope, and terra cotta pots in its design. Creating levels of vertical garden space is a smart idea while still allowing plants to grow up perpendicular to the ground the way they most often prefer. This DIY plant wall at buzzfeed allows for up to twenty plants.
This project would be perfect for an herb garden on the patio or right near an entry door. In this tutorial you will need to have access to a drill, a saw, and a hole saw for the pot holding holes. You can purchase all the tools and supplies you need at the local hardware store.
With the terra cotta pots, water drainage will be a mindful issue to address as well as making sure the DIY vertical garden is at a height that can be watered properly throughout the week. Enhance the durability of this DIY project by staining and protecting the wood from water as well as putting felt pads on the wood where it comes in contact with the wall surfaces.
Want to focus your DIY living wall like this one by gardenista on indoor houseplants? Then this tutorial is the one for you! This DIY plant wall project is a great way to spruce up an apartment or dorm room that will not allow a lot of personalization.
Utilizing a wooden broomstick, dowel, or wood branch purchased or repurposed, you can create another hanging plant holder for your indoor living space. The project is as easy as using curtain rod hardware to attach a wooden dowel to the wall and then using rope or jute pot hangers to hang plants from the dowel attached to the wall. This would be a great idea for plants that need more air in their root systems like orchids or plants that you can simply mist throughout the week to maintain their watering needs.
You could toughen this project up a bit by purchasing thicker wood dowel. Use thicker sized wood such as the kind used for hanging clothes in the closet and add some closet shelf brackets with hooks to hold the dowel. This project is perfect for cactus, succulents, or tropical plants.
Moving on up in the DIY expertise game, this amazing DIY plant wall by thegardenglove shows off some special wall hanging garden pots on a specially designed vertical wall system. If you are making a trip to IKEA or are fortunate enough to live near a location, you can purchase the suggested kitchen storage containers repurposed as vertical wall pots. It’s a DIY project with an IKEA hack all rolled into one.
Don’t fret if you can’t access an IKEA, you can find similar potting containers on Amazon. The design features a modern horizontal slat wall effect for hanging pots vertically off a wall or fence. In the tutorial, they utilized a concrete block wall but the same method could be used against a fence or on the exterior of a home wall.
For supplies, there are 4×4 posts and 1×4 lumber to purchase for the construction of the vertical plant wall. To complete this DIY project, you will need access to a power saw, a drill, and a sander. It is also helpful to ask a friend for help as well. With the horizontal slats secured by 4×4 posts, you can make this project as small or large as you would like by buying more or less supplies.
For a smaller sized DIY hanging plant wall project by thefrugalhomemaker, this wall mounted living wall is made with wood boards and uses hanging buckets as planting containers. Other versions of this DIY vertical green wall cost more than $100 but this project focuses on keeping the price down to a more reasonable budget.
This DIY project also utilizes the wonderful technique of a French cleat. A French cleat is commonly used to securely hang heavy items on a wall such as mirrors. This roughly three feet by three-foot square design can be expanded for additional supply costs.
This DIY plant wall project requires access to a drill and saw for construction. You may want to ask a friend for a few hours of their time to assist. The buckets used in this tutorial can be found at the dollar store or Walmart for an inexpensive price.
Specifically designed as the simplest and least expensive of the DIY vertical wall planter projects by cieradesign, this tutorial shows you how to recycle and repurpose tin cans from food storage to plant pots. With simple steps of spray paint, drilling holes in the bottom, and attaching it to a fence, this project can really spark some creativity with color on a new or aged fence.
Want a theme for the fourth of July? Maybe repurpose the plant wall in the colder months with a Halloween theme or add some candles or battery-powered lights for an evening display. Let your creative juices flow with this simple DIY vertical planter wall project.
Ready to get the kids interested in gardening and actively participate in the DIY project creation? This DIY plant wall by chicagobotanic will definitely spike the interest in kids of all ages. A project focused on covering foam boards with burlap and attaching burlap plant holders (wrapped plant in burlap) to the covered foam and attached to a wall or fence.
A unique twist on the plant wall theme, kids can even use unconventional items such as shoes, toys, and recycled plastic bottles as vertical planters. Let the creativity run wild with this project which is perfect for a daycare or kindergarten class project as well. Be sure to put the plant sacks at a kid height to continue engagement as the plants grow on the wall.
Use plants with bright colored flowers, leaves, or herbs that have good smells like mint or basil. Starting with some simple herb seeds would be a great way to include the children in this DIY project. If you don’t have kids, bring out the kid in you and try this tutorial in your own garden.
Looking for another fabric type pocket planter wall idea like this one by rootedingreenlove? This interesting DIY tutorial is an easy project that can be done in less than one day. Using a few simple supplies like picture hanging hooks and pre-made cotton pockets, you can create a cotton pocket collection on the wall.
Terra cotta pots are inserted into the cotton pockets which takes the potential mess out of soil and water soaking into the white cotton like a wicking material. You will need access to a drill or hammer to put the hooks in the wall. The cotton pockets in this DIY plant wall are from a Japanese store.
Alternatively, you could use fabric pockets commonly used for hanging shoes behind a door. The polyester or felt of the shoe pockets would do well with the durability needed. A pro tip is to take the pots out of the pockets, water them, let them dry a little and then place them back in the fabric pockets.
Are you tempted by the promise of a DIY plant wall like this one by melissafrusco for under $100 and done in less than two hours? Follow this DIY vertical plant wall tutorial for some great inspiration. The hardest part of this tutorial is finding a plant that is long enough to be able to weave through the lattice work you created on your own.
Take an inexpensive bamboo trellis from a garden center, a cool plant hanger, and an artistic plant pot for your plant. Put them all together and you have a great idea waiting for your DIY hacks and improvements. Maybe you want to paint the trellis or go for a more metallic look.
Get creative by designing and customizing this project around your interior design style. Try to recreate a current design trend for a modern appeal. Pick up a new houseplant and see what you can achieve with this DIY inspirational tutorial.
Looking for even more inspiration and ideas? Check out this Youtube video about an IKEA hack using a polyester behind-the-door shoe holder as a plant wall. THE MOST AFFORDABLE VERTICAL GARDEN – IKEA HACK – YouTube Its sure to help you think of more ways you can add creativity and interest to your love of all things gardening and DIY.
Homemade firestarters are a fun craft to make with the kids plus the craft is very useful indoors or outdoors. A warm, cozy fire in the fireplace on a cold winter evening is wonderful, but you have to get the fire started with something.
Store-bought fire sticks can become costly, and just using a match to start a fire isn’t always sufficient. Adding a combustible liquid, like gas or kerosene, to start a fire is not safe and can cause property damage. These 23 homemade firestarters are safe for use in an indoor fireplace, outdoor firepit, or while camping to start a campfire.
Check out these great ideas we have collected for you and learn how to make firestarters so you will always have something safe and reliable to get a fire started.
1- Pinecone Firestarter
These are easy to make, attractive, and fragrant. It’s a great way to recycle pinecones from the yard and transform them into useful objects. Great for gift-giving too!
A small, scented candle is melted and one pinecone placed in the melted wax. As the melted wax re-hardens it will hold the pinecone upright. The candle wick is pulled over to the side and used to light the pinecone when you want to start a fire indoors or outdoors in the firepit.
Start with a coffee filter and place your favorite (or the recipient’s favorite) herbs and spices, then sew the end closed. The paper coffee filter will light easily and burn long enough to get a fire started in your backyard firepit.
A little candle wax and used coffee grounds in a small paper cup make an ideal way to start a fire. You will also have the aroma of freshly brewed coffee filling the air when you use one of the DIY firestarters.
Dryer lint is something we remove from the dryer and toss in the trash without thinking it may have another use. It does. Dryer lint will make an excellent water-proof firestarter like this one by instructables that is perfect for taking on camping trips.
Some dryer lint, dental floss, and old candles stubs or canning wax are all you need to create the DIY firestarters. These are small enough to fit into your pants pocket and will provide 15 minutes of flame, which is enough to get a fire started.
Here’s a great way to recycle unwanted items around the homestead and transform them into something usable.
Wood shavings left lying on the ground after chopping or sawing wood is a highly combustible material, but it needs a binding agent to make it portable. Beeswax is a great binding agent and will allow you to create the six and shape of a DIY firestarter like this one by themerrythought that you want.
If dad likes to go out into the woods on adventures, then this will make a great Father’s Day gift for him. Have the kids fill an attractive jelly jar with utensils needed to start a fire like this one by liagriffith. Matches, small pinecones, dried moss, and bits of dryer lint can be layered in the jar and sealed with a lid to make all the items inside waterproof.
Dried sage, lavender, and thyme are bundled together inside of an attractive white paper dolie to create a fragrant firestarter. A few loose pine needles are also tucked inside with the dried herbs to help provide more combustion to get the fire started.
These are some of the best camping fire starters that you make. Each one is small enough to fit into your pocket and they are practically free to make.
These free plans show you how to recycle dryer lint, egg cartons, used candles, and a bits of twine or yarn into a lightweight, portable camp fire starters like this one by twineandtable These are so simple to make and the small size makes it easy to tuck several into your backpack or camping gear so you won’t even be stranded in the wilderness without a fire.
Dryer lint ignites quickly, but it burns out just as quickly if there isn’t something added to keep it burning. Cooking oil will burn for a long time and is a great companion of the fast-lighting dryer lint.
Instead of disposing of used cooking oil and dryer lint, watch this free video to learn how to combine the two waste products to create homemade firestarters like this one by thethingswellmake. Fill a recycled container with dryer lint and saturate with used cooking oil. Keep one container with your camping gear and another container in a safe place for use to ignite your backyard firepit.
These are great for adding to your survival gear! These waterproof survival firestarters by diyready are lightweight, compact, and will enable you to build a fire even in the middle of a rainstorm.
Recycle a plastic drinking straw and cut it into 1-2 inch lengths, then stuff them with a cotton ball and seal the end shut by melting them with a lighter. The plastic straw will keep the cotton ball dry on the inside so you can build a fire even in the rain.
The pinecones make this craft pretty and are the focal point, what you add to transform them into homemade firestarters is up to you. Used candle wax, beeswax, or paraffin, along with a few drops of your favorite essential oil for fragrance, plus a little twine to use to create wicks can be put together with these free plans to make cute pinecone firestarters.
If you love to grill but hate the taste of lighter fluid or other chemicals on your food, then you have to give these simple homemade firestarters by blessedbeyondcrazy a try.
Made out of just 2 items – cardboard and paraffin – these firestarters for the grill contain no chemicals, are safer to use than lighter fluid, and cost only pennies to make. Recycle an old cardboard box for this DIY project and cut the box into small squares. Dip the squares into melted paraffin wax and let dry.
Pinecones are a very popular material for use in making homemade firestarters like these ones by southernliving because they are free, easy to find, ignite quickly, and burn for several minutes. Pinecones are also attractive and can be displayed in a basket after being transformed into firestarters.
A little wax, fragrant oil, wicks, and pinecones come together very nicely to create a long-burning firestarter. Follow these detailed plans to make some for yourself and to give as gifts.
Garden plants must be pruned during the growing season to keep the plants looking neat and producing as they should. The small amount that gets trimmed off of a plant may seem insignificant alone, but when it’s bundled together with other garden waste, they can make ideal free firestarters like this one by hearthandvine.
Tiny branches pruned off of herb plants, rose bushes, and other fragrant plants can be grouped together and tied in a bundle with twine to create a small, fragrant fire-starting log. Add a few leaves or twigs from fruit trees or increased fragrance.
Petroleum jelly is a by-product of petroleum but it’s not flammable and will not burn unless it is connected to combustible material, like a cotton ball.
Put a little petroleum jelly onto cotton balls and ignite for a long-lasting blaze that will get a fire in the backyard firepit started. Great idea for use while camping or as a part of survival gear. These easy to make lightweight firestarters by ramblinjim can be stuffed into an airtight plastic bag and take up almost zero amount of space.
Not what most people think of when they want something to start a fire, but the material that tampons are made from are ideal for starting a fire, especially after they have been coated with wax.
Small, round, lightweight, cheap, and will fit into a shirt pocket. These homemade firestarters on youtube are made from round gauze pads dipped in wax and this YouTube video shows you how to make them.
The small size makes them ideal to take along with you on a camping or hiking trip, and great to keep some stored at home for use in the backyard firepit or indoor fireplace. Anywhere you need to build a fire, these DIY firestarters will burn for about 10 minutes and get the fire started.
18- One-Hour Burn Time
If you need a firestarter that has a long burn time, try this one made from paper toweling and used cooking oil.
Use this great idea to recycle several waster materials around your house and transform them into long-lasting, fragrant DIY firestarters by dabblesandbabbles.
Empty toilet paper tubes, newspaper, dryer lint, candle stubs, dried herbs, and some twine can be put together to create a fragrant, attractive, and cheap firestarter for your backyard firepit.
Dryer lint will work as well as wood shavings. Cut the egg carton sections apart after beeswax has hardened.
Beeswax Firestarter, Image via:
22- Homestead Firestarter
Large brush fires are sometimes needed when clearing land around the homestead. A large brush fire needs a large starter to keep the flames burning until all the brush ignites and this plan will show you how to make a homestead firestarter like this one by homesteading. Don’t use fuel for building fires, save fuel for other uses around the homestead by making these firestarters.
Recycle everything, including broken crayons and dryer lint. Crayons are made from wax and will burn a long time after being ignited by fast-burning dryer lint.
Create these colorful DIY firestarters by re-thinkgreen in a recycled egg carton so they will be the perfect size for starting a fire in your backyard firepit.
If you’re looking to add charm to your garden or yard, look into different DIY wishing well plans we have collected for you. A wishing well is a decorative piece that adds an enchanting touch to your exterior. Of course, you can also use your wishing well as a functional piece, such as a planter, or as a way to store water for your garden.
You can find a wide range of wishing well plans to consider for your exterior. While most of the wishing wells are made of wood, the plans feature different sizes and styles. You may even want to decorate your wishing well by staining or painting it. If you’re interested in adding character to your garden or yard, check out the following DIY wishing well plans we bring for you.
1. Multipurpose DIY Wishing Well
When browsing through wooden wishing well plans by howtospecialist, you may enjoy a multipurpose wishing well. This way, you’re building a piece that can be used in different situations. Place it in the middle of your yard as a decorative piece or in your garden as a planter. If you’re hosting a wedding, shower or anniversary party, a DIY wishing well is a great addition to your decor. It could take a week to build your well, but it’s worth it to have a charming piece for your yard.
For these wishing well plans by instructables, you’re going to build a wishing well planter. In the center of your wishing well is a box, and that box is going to hold the planter. This way, it’s easy to add or remove your planter as needed. Use it as a standalone planter on your porch or in your backyard, or use it to add another plant or flower arrangement to an existing garden. You may also like to see: DIY zen garden ideas.
What would a wooden wishing well be without a bucket? Once you’re finished building your wishing well, you’re going to attach a metal bucket or pail to the top using rope. You can leave the bucket empty to serve as an accent, or you can turn the bucket into a planter. Instead of a standard round or square wishing well, this wishing well is going to be in the shape of a hexagon.
DIY Wishing Well With Bucket
4. DIY Wishing Well With Handle
When learning how to build a wishing well such as this one by construct101, you’re going to find most, if not all, of the wishing well plans use wooden materials. Now, these plans call for a handle, which may not be included in other plans. The handle may be stationary or movable, but this depends on your personal preference. You can also attach a bucket, and stain or paint your wishing well.
You’re sure to love this set of DIY wishing well plans by buildeazy, as you’re building a garden wishing well. Instead of a bucket attached to the top of the well, you’re going to attach a planter with beautiful greenery, as well as a handle. You can switch out the planter as needed. It’s a great standalone piece if you don’t have a garden, but you can also use it to add more greenery to an existing garden.
A painted wishing well by hometalk is perfect if you’re looking to decorate your finished product. You want to paint the wishing well to match your exterior, such as white with a dark red trim. A wishing well that matches your exterior is charming and adorable, and your guests and neighbors are sure to agree. You’re also going to use the bucket as a planter, or you can attach your own planter, just like in the previous plans.
Use these wishing well plans to build a DIY wishing well planter by howtospecialist. You’re building a square wishing well that can sit in your garden or backyard. Place a planter box inside the well itself, or attach a bucket to use as a planter, this depends on your personal preference. You also have the option of staining your wooden wishing well to add a dark but natural shade to it. You may also like to see: diy garden markers and labels.
If you’re looking for metal and wooden wishing well plans like this one by instructables that stand out, consider a wishing well burn barrel. From an evening in the backyard to a weekend of camping, this piece is convenient for cooking and keeping warm. The bucket, which can be traded for a camping kettle or hanging pot, is used to cook food or warm water. Now, it’s important to follow all the instructions, as you need to ensure you’re building a safe piece that doesn’t trap heat. Tutorial:
With these wishing well plans, you’re building a DIY wishing well planter such as this one by Ana-White. This charming octagon-shaped well is a great planter for your garden or yard. It features a handle, as well as a darker stain. For this project, the wishing well is stained in an oxford brown shade, creating an attractive but natural piece for your exterior. Of course, you’re going to use the interior of the wishing well as a planter. You may also like to see: rain gutter garden ideas.
Here we have another set of planfor building a wooden wishing well in this youtube video for your garden. The difference is the hole of the well is a solid surface. However, there’s a small door for the bucket, which you’ll lower down into the well. You can use the well for water for your garden, or you can get creative and store beverages in the well for gatherings. Of course, you can leave the well empty and only use it for decorative purposes. You may also like to see: diy water fountain.
11. Solid DIY Wishing Well
With these wishing well plans by gardenplansfree you’re going to build a solid wishing well, which means it’s not going to have an opening in the top for a bucket. You can still attach a bucket and handle for decorative purposes, but you’re not going to lower it down into the well. Instead, you can use the bucket as a planter, attach an actual planter or use the well as a decorative piece.
When building a cheap DIY wishing well like this one on youtube, keep in mind that it’s cheap in cost and not cheap in quality. You can find the materials at your local hardware store, or you may even have materials from another project. While it’s going to take a bit of work to build your wishing well, you can rest assured that you’re not breaking the bank to add a decorative piece to your exterior.
13. Wooden Wishing Well
As you already know, you can find a variety of wooden wishing well plans like this one by myoutdoorplans. Some plans feature a bucket and handle, while other plans allow you to switch out the bucket for a planter. There are also plans that don’t feature a bucket or planter at all, as they’re only for decorative purposes. The key is to find the wooden wishing well plans that work for you.
Whether you’re hosting a special event or looking to add sophistication to your exterior, consider an elegant wishing well. For this DIY wishing well by hallmarkchannel, you’re going to use a bucket or basket as the well itself, with twigs on your handle, as well as a tiny metal bucket hanging from the handle. It’s not a standard wishing well, but it’s perfect for greeting cards, greenery or beverages, depending on why you’re building it.
Here we have another set of plans to build a garden wishing well like this one by woodcentral for your planter. You can place your planter in a bucket or attach the planter itself to the well. Of course, your wishing well is made of wood, which can be stained and painted. The wooden materials paired with the gorgeous greenery creates a nature-inspired piece.
DIY Wishing Well With Planter, Image via: woodcentral
Ending Note
With such a wide selection of wishing well plans, you’re sure to find a DIY wishing well that fits your style, space and budget.
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