Recycling Old Garden Shovels: Creative Upcycling Ideas for Your Yard

Are you tired of seeing old and rusty garden shovels lying around your home?

If you’re into upcycling and gardening, why not repurpose those old shovels instead of throwing them away?

Upcycling is not only eco-friendly, but it also allows you to add a unique touch to your yard.

In this blog post, I’m going to share with you some creative upcycling ideas for your old garden shovels.

From garden shovel planters to wind chimes made from shovels, there’s something for every DIY enthusiast out there.

Let’s dive right in!

Creative Garden Shovel Planters

Looking for a creative way to upcycle old garden shovels? Why not turn them into planters! Creating garden shovel planters is easier than you might think. First, drill or punch several holes in the bottom of your shovel to allow for proper drainage. Fill the shovel with nutrient-rich soil and choose your plant. Make sure to pick a plant that matches the shovel size and can thrive in the amount of sunlight the area receives.

You can use shovel planters in many ways. Arrange them along a garden path, hang them on a fence, or use them as a centerpiece in a larger planter. Use different types of shovels to create variety, and consider painting or decorating them with stencils to add an extra touch of creativity. The possibilities are endless!

When choosing your plants, there are many options to consider. You can choose flowers or herbs, such as petunias or parsley, that will add color and fragrance to your garden. Or, you can choose plants that are both decorative and practical, like tomatoes or peppers. Succulents, such as cacti and aloe vera, are also great options for shovel planters as they require little water and care.

Incorporating shovel planters into your garden design is also a fun way to express your personality. Use them as a focal point in your design or place them throughout your garden to add pops of color and texture. If you have a vintage or rustic garden design, mixing and matching shovels of different sizes and colors can add to the aesthetic.

Creating garden shovel planters is a fun way to bring new life to old tools and add a creative touch to your garden. Give it a try and see what unique combinations you can come up with!

Rusty Garden Shovel Art

Do you have old, rusty shovels lying around your garden? Instead of throwing them away, you can turn them into works of art that will add unique charm to your garden.

One technique for turning rusty shovels into art is to use them as canvases. You can paint designs onto them, whether it is a butterfly, flowers, or an abstract pattern. The rust on the shovel creates a natural texture that adds character to the painting.

Another technique is to turn the shovel into a sculptural piece. You can bend the shovel into different shapes, such as a flower or an animal, using pliers and a vice. The rust on the shovel adds depth and interest to the sculpture.

There are many examples of shovel art to draw inspiration from, including garden art pieces made by professional artists as well as DIY projects by enthusiastic gardeners. You can find numerous ideas online or in garden design books.

Using shovel art in your garden decor can give your garden a whimsical touch. You can lean the shovel art against a tree or a wall, or you can hang it on a fence or a balcony railing. Shovel art can also add height to your garden, increasing visual interest.

By repurposing your old, rusty shovels into works of art, you can add a touch of creativity to your garden while reducing waste. If you have children, this could also be a fun and creative activity to do together.

With rusty garden shovels, the possibilities for creative upcycling are endless.

Garden Shovel Trellises

Got some old garden shovels lying around? Turn them into trellises with some simple DIY steps! First, find the right spot in your garden for the trellis. Next, loosen the soil and place the shovel vertically into the ground. Ensure that the shovel head is facing outwards. You can secure it into the ground further by adding rocks or bricks around the shovel blade.

Once it’s stable, you can start training your climbing plants onto the trellis. Popular climbers like clematis, ivy, and jasmine can be trained onto your new shovel trellis. Ensure that you give the plants enough support by tying them securely to the trellis with twine. This will ensure that the trellis stays stable and the plants grow efficiently.

Alternatively, you can also hang planters off the shovel handle to add some cascading greenery to your garden. There are many creative ways to incorporate shovel trellises into your garden design. You can position them next to fences, walkways, or even use them as standalone garden features.

One great example of incorporating shovel trellises is to use them to create living privacy screens in your garden. By planting evergreen climbers on your shovels, you can create a natural barrier to block out unwanted sights and noise.

The possibilities are endless when upcycling your old garden shovels, and creating trellises is just one example. Get creative and try out different designs to add an interesting touch to your garden!

Shovel Birdhouses

Repurposing old garden shovels into birdhouses is a fun and creative way to attract birds to your garden. Here are some simple steps to create your own shovel birdhouse:

First, find an old shovel that you no longer need. Make sure that it is clean and free from any rust or corrosion. Then, using your preferred tools, cut out a hole in the blade of the shovel. The size of the hole will depend on the type of bird you are trying to attract to your garden. Alternatively, you can attach a pre-made birdhouse to the handle of the shovel.

Next, add some finishing touches to your birdhouse. You can paint the shovel with bright colors or even add some designs to make it more visually appealing. This will also help to make the birdhouse stand out in your garden.

To attract birds to your new birdhouse, make sure to place it in a spot where it is easily visible, preferably at eye level. You can also add some nesting material to the birdhouse to make it more inviting for the birds.

When choosing what kind of nesting material to use, be sure to avoid materials that can be harmful to birds, such as dryer lint or synthetic fibers. Stick to natural materials such as dried grass or feathers that birds will be drawn to.

Creating your own shovel birdhouse is a great way to add a unique and personal touch to your garden while also attracting and helping out the local bird population. Give it a try and see what kinds of birds you can attract to your space!

Decorative Garden Shovel Hooks

Reuse old garden shovels by repurposing them into decorative garden hooks. These hooks can be easily mounted on a fence, wall, or shed and can be used to display hanging baskets or plants. All you need is a few basic tools and some creativity to get started.

To make garden shovel hooks, start by cleaning the shovel head with soap and water and sanding off any rust or rough spots. Next, drill a hole in the handle of the shovel, making sure that it is big enough to fit a screw or hook.

After that, choose a spot in your garden where you want to hang your shovel hook. Use a drill to create a pilot hole, and then attach the hook to the surface using screws or nails.

When selecting plants to display on your shovel hooks, choose ones that complement the design and feel of your garden. For example, simple and elegant flowers such as petunias or lobelia can be used to create a cottage garden look, while hanging succulent plants can give a more modern and minimalist feel.

With a little bit of creativity and some basic tools, you can easily create beautiful and functional garden shovel hooks that will add a unique touch to your outdoor space.

Garden Shovel Wind Chimes

Are you looking for a unique way to add some personality to your garden? Consider making wind chimes out of old garden shovels! Not only is this a great way to upcycle old tools, but it also adds a functional and decorative element to your garden.

To create your own garden shovel wind chimes, you’ll need a few materials. First, find some old garden shovels that you no longer need. You’ll also need metal or wooden rods, fishing line or twine, beads or other decorative elements, and a drill or hammer and nail.

Start by drilling a hole near the top of each shovel blade. Then, thread the fishing line or twine through the hole and tie a knot at the end to keep it in place. Attach the line to the metal or wooden rod, spacing the shovels out evenly along the rod.

Next, add beads or other decorative elements to the line between each shovel blade. Be creative and use materials that complement your garden’s style and color scheme.

When your wind chime is complete, hang it in a windy spot in your garden. The sound of the clanging shovels and tinkling beads will add a calming and peaceful element to your outdoor space.

You can also experiment with different types of garden tools and materials to create unique wind chimes. Try using old hand trowels, hoes, or even watering cans in place of shovels. Or, add some color to your wind chime with a coat of spray paint or colorful beads. The possibilities are endless!

By repurposing old garden tools into beautiful wind chimes, you’ll not only save money and reduce waste, but you’ll also add a beautiful and functional element to your garden decor. So why not give it a try and see what you can create?

Shovel Garden Signs

Do you have an old garden shovel lying around? Why not repurpose it into a unique garden sign? Making a garden sign out of a shovel is easy and inexpensive. Here are some ideas to get you started.

First, you will need to clean the shovel well and let it dry completely. Next, decide what you want your sign to say. You could paint your house number or family name on it, or write a fun garden-related phrase.

Once you have decided what you want your sign to say, you can start decorating it. You can paint the shovel with your chosen design, or attach small items such as beads, marbles, or stones to make the sign more visually appealing.

If you want a more natural look, consider attaching items such as leaves, twigs or flowers using a strong adhesive.

To display your shovel garden sign, simply stick the shovel into the ground at the desired location in your garden. You could also attach a stake to the back of the shovel to make it more stable.

With a little creativity and some elbow grease, you can turn an old garden shovel into an eye-catching addition to your garden. Give it a try and see what you can come up with!

Final Thoughts

In conclusion, recycling old garden shovels is not only environmentally friendly, it can also be a lot of fun and add character to your yard.

From garden shovel planters to shovel wind chimes and garden signs, the possibilities are endless when it comes to upcycling these handy tools.

Before we sign off, we want to hear from you!

Which idea from our list are you excited to try?

Let me know in the comments or send me a message.

Share your photos and stories as well, I would love to see your take on these creative DIY projects.

Lastly, if you enjoyed this article and found it helpful, please share it on your social media platforms.

Let’s inspire others to upcycle and create beautiful spaces in their gardens!