Anyone else getting a late start to building their garden? It can’t be just me. One day it was blizzarding and the next I’m swimming in the river and getting my first sunburn of the summer. If you are like me and have yet to construct beds to grow in, have no fear, it’s never too late! And if you’re also like me and are balling on a budget, here are some ideas that are inexpensive and maybe even free (depending on your connections). People have gotten creative with how and what materials they’re using to build their garden beds and structures, and I’m here to share those ideas with you.
Anything can become a planter or a garden bed if you have a good imagination! Did you or a friend recently renovate a kitchen? Well you can put that old kitchen sink to use as a home for your plants! Did your canoe from last season mysteriously end up with a gaping hole in the bottom that’s beyond repair? Add a few extra holes for drainage, throw some soil in there, and bam, you’ve got yourself a cool planter that’s big enough to fit a few rows of your favorite lettuces, herbs, or flowers. This same idea could also work with a wheelbarrow that has a broken wheel or rusted out bottom, a kiddie pool that’s seen better days, or even a vintage clawfoot bathtub.
We don’t always have to use things for their intended purpose. Storage bins, plastic crates, hanging shoe organizers, dresser drawers – all things that are meant to house clothes or shoes, but who says they can’t hold plants? A shoe organizer can be hung on the side of a shed and makes for a perfect herb garden – each pocket housing a different herb.
Wood pallets are a gardener’s gold. There are so many different ways to create a pallet garden – watch this video for two ideas on constructing a pallet garden. Lay them flat and plant rows in between the slats. Lean the pallet against a wall and create pockets using landscape fabric or durable plastic in the space between slats. Pallets can be stacked or nailed together in a box formation to create raised garden beds. You could even take apart pallets for wood to build beds in whichever shape and size you fancy.
Last season’s winter tires that have worn down their tread make wonderful planters for your garden. Just lay them down on their side, fill with soil and compost and now you have the perfect spot to plant. Bonus – they’re easy to paint any fun color and brighten up your yard.
Have you ever heard of a gutter garden? I hadn’t either but rain gutters or drain pipe can make perfect gardens! Mount them on a fence or wall and now you have a one row garden bed.
Metal troughs are the perfect container for a garden. You can find them at Murdoch’s or other farm supply stores but that can get a bit pricey. We do live in an area where ranching is prominent, so keep your eyes peeled and you can probably find some used troughs for a good price!
Do you have some leftover brick from a project or that was salvaged from an old building? Or what about some cinder blocks kicking around? Use those bricks or cinder blocks to build a low wall creating a bed.
And where can you find these things if they’re not at your own house, you may ask. There are so many resources in our Chaffee County. Facebook marketplace has been my go to spot to find materials for garden building, along with Salida Swap & Sell and People Helping People pages on Facebook. People are always trying to minimize and simplify. You can find all sorts of materials – bricks, filing cabinets, sinks.. Etc – for cheap or even free! There are many affordable thrift stores scattered about Chaffee County. Caring and Sharing in Salida, Antiques and What Nots in Poncha Springs, and Chaffee County Habitat for Humanity & ReStore in Buena Vista are some good ones, just to name a few. It’s also beneficial to ask local businesses in the community if they have any excess materials that they’re looking to get rid of. Breweries tend to have a plethora of pallets and apothecaries tend to acquire plastic drums.
Long story short, pretty much any vessel that you can get your hands on can serve as a home for your garden plants. Just make sure there are holes in the bottom for drainage and add enough soil for your plants to extend their roots. Having a garden doesn’t have to be expensive and you don’t have to have power tools and carpentry skills. Anyone can create a garden at home with upcycled materials that you, a friend, or a member of your community already has. The sky’s the limit, this list of ideas is only a small fraction of the possibilities!
I hope this has sparked your creative wires and has inspired you to create your own unique garden. Now get planting!
Eat Away at Climate Change