DIY garden ideas, a pink tricycle planter with a galvanized tub of flowers beside painted river rock vegetable garden markers
DIY garden ideas: a tricycle planter and painted rock garden markers.

Want a yard that makes you smile every time you step outside? These DIY garden decor ideas add color, sparkle and a little whimsy without a landscaper’s bill. You’ll find beaded wind chimes, concrete hand planters, mosaic stones, a wine bottle bird feeder, a light bulb planter, golf ball ladybugs and a living fence, plus window boxes, painted totems and a tiny fairy garden. Plenty of them start with stuff you already own (those empty wine bottles finally have a second career). They’re perfect for porches, patios, flower beds, small yards and anyone who wants their garden to look as good as it grows. Want to grow your own veggies? Build one of these DIY raised garden beds.

Table of Contents

1. Sparkly Beautiful Beaded Garden Wind Chime

Save This Post!
Get this sent to your inbox, plus get new posts from us every week!
Sparkly beaded garden wind chime, rainbow strands of glass beads and small bells hanging from a driftwood branch

A sparkly beaded garden wind chime is a great way to use up a stash of craft beads. Drill five holes along a piece of driftwood or a wooden dowel. Cut nylon beading thread to about 22 inches, tie a small bell to one end and thread beads, charms and wooden beads on in a rainbow of colors, one color per strand. Run the tail back up through a few beads to hide it. Adjust the strand lengths so they hang at different heights, then knot each one through a hole over a bead.

Get the full tutorial at Garden Therapy.

2. DIY Bird Bath

DIY bird bath made of a bright orange urn planter and saucer stacked on a pedestal, ringed with purple petunias

This DIY bird bath stacks garden store basics: a 17 inch plastic planter, a 12 inch urn style planter and a 10 inch terra cotta saucer. Drill four or five holes in the large urn for drainage. Spray paint the planters in a bright color, but use waterproof craft paint on the saucer so the birds are not drinking from spray paint. Flip the small urn upside down on top of the big one, tuck potting mix and flowers around it, then set the saucer on top and fill it with water. Raise it on a table if birds stay shy.

Get the full tutorial at Mami Talks.

3. DIY Concrete Hand Planters

DIY concrete hand planters, two cupped gray concrete hands filled with purple flowers above rubber gloves being filled

DIY concrete hand planters are a playful twist on store bought concrete pots, and they need just three things: a bag of concrete, a couple of rubber cleaning gloves and a big bucket for mixing. Fill the gloves with concrete, shape the fingers into a cupped pose and let them cure completely. The waiting is the hardest part. Peel away the gloves, then fill the palms with succulents or small flowers. A pair by the front door makes a cheerful welcome for guests, and they also look great tucked into a garden bed.

Get the full tutorial at DIY JOY.

4. Wine Cork Garden Markers DIY

Wine cork garden markers DIY, corks labeled mint, basil and dill in black marker on wooden skewers in green moss

Wine cork garden markers are an easy way to keep plants labeled all season. You need one cork per plant, plus wooden stakes or even chopsticks. Write each plant name on a cork with a permanent marker, pressing firmly. Poke a starter hole in the end with a screwdriver, then push the stake in. A coat of clear spray sealer helps them stand up to the weather. Push each marker into the soil next to its plant. No corks at home? Craft stores sell them by the bag, or friends can save some.

Get the full tutorial at A Thrifty Mom.

5. Make a Butterfly Feeder

Make a butterfly feeder from a pink flower shaped plate hung on cords, holding orange slices in a sunny garden

A butterfly feeder takes about five minutes and helps bring pollinators into the garden. Start with a bright, inexpensive plate from the thrift or dollar store, since butterflies love warm colors. Cut five pieces of mason line about 3 feet long, loop them through a washer or metal ring and knot them into a simple macrame style holder, with beads if you like. A flower shaped plate with notches holds the strings neatly. A round plate needs a wall mount plate holder. Hang it in the sun and add slices of overripe fruit.

Get the full tutorial at Garden Therapy.

6. DIY Plastic Bottle Pig Planter

DIY plastic bottle pig planter, an orange pig and a pink pig made from gallon jugs and filled with flowers on the grass

A plastic bottle pig planter turns an empty gallon jug into a cute garden friend. The gallon becomes the body and four small plastic bottles become the feet, with the opening cut on top for the soil. An adult should handle the cutting and smooth any sharp edges. Coat the whole pig, caps and gaps included, in primer so the paint sticks, then paint it pink, orange or any color you like and glue on the ears, snout and googly eyes. A piece of cardboard inside saves on soil and keeps it light.

Get the full tutorial at DIY JOY.

7. Decorative Garden Ball Tutorial

Decorative glass garden balls in pink, purple and orange on stakes in a flower bed, plus a green and white swirl ball

Decorative garden balls cover a sturdy base in flat marbles for dazzling yard art that costs about $5 to $20. An old bowling ball, a thick glass lamp globe or a strong fishbowl works as the base. Sand off any glossy finish first so the adhesive grips. Spray paint the ball first if you want color to show between the gems. Glue on flat bottomed glass gems, also sold at dollar stores as vase fillers, with an outdoor silicone adhesive. Skip the grout, since it will not stick to silicone, and test your materials first.

Get the full tutorial at Empress of Dirt.

8. Beautiful DIY Garden Stones

Beautiful DIY garden stones, a round mosaic stepping stone covered in pink floral broken china pieces set in mortar

These beautiful DIY garden stones turn broken china into mosaic art for the flower bed. Mix mortar mix following the bag, spray a stepping stone mold with cooking spray and fill it to about a quarter inch from the top. Smooth it and tap the mold to release air bubbles. Wrap china in a thick dish towel and break it with a hammer into a mix of shapes and sizes. Press the pieces in with even pressure, and blot any water that rises with a paper towel. Let them set 24 to 48 hours.

Get the full tutorial at Over The Big Moon.

9. DIY Wine Bottle Bird Feeder

DIY wine bottle bird feeder made from a cobalt blue swing top bottle and saucer, with a small bird perched to eat

A DIY wine bottle bird feeder reuses a pretty bottle, and the tricky part is drilling the glass. Use a diamond drill bit just under 1/2 inch, which suits small seed like sunflower chips. Keep the bit wet the whole time. Start the running drill at a 45 degree angle and slowly bring it to 90 degrees, letting it grind rather than pushing. Drill one hole on each side near the base, then epoxy a small plate or saucer to the bottom. Wrap heavy copper wire around the neck to hang it.

Get the full tutorial at Rebecca's Bird Gardens Blog.

10. Pallet Wood Garden Walkway

Pallet wood garden walkway, weathered pallet planks forming a curving path through a green flower bed beside stones

A pallet wood garden walkway is a charming path through a flower bed, and it has held up for years without rotting. Lay pallet planks side by side in the soil, either lined up perfectly or staggered for a more relaxed look. To keep it tidy, kneel on a garden pad, lift one plank at a time, dig out the weeds, fluff the soil and wiggle the board back into place. Fill a little soil between planks for stability. Every few years, pull the whole path up, weed and relay it.

Get the full tutorial at Funky Junk Interiors.

11. DIY Concrete Garden Globes

DIY concrete garden globes, three rough gray concrete spheres resting among green ivy leaves in a shady garden bed

DIY concrete garden globes cost less than $15 for three, and the molds are old glass lamp globes from the thrift store. After testing a few recipes, cement mixed with peat moss won out, with potting soil and a hypertufa mix as alternatives. Mix the recipe to the consistency of thick cake batter, breaking up peat moss chunks with gloved hands. Spray the inside of each globe with cooking spray and fill it, stopping before the neck so the ball stays round. Bag them and let them cure in a cool spot.

Get the full tutorial at The Garden Glove.

12. Flower Pallet Garden

Flower pallet garden, an upright gray pallet planter overflowing with red, orange and white impatiens and begonias

A flower pallet garden stands a pallet upright and plants it with flowers so it spills color like a European balcony box. This one has been in use for three years and is still in great shape, and this season it switched from herbs to bright impatiens and begonias. Plant the flowers, then soak the soil well. Water every evening, and feed every week or two for bigger blooms. The post links its own earlier vertical pallet garden tutorial for the build steps. It suits a patio where you entertain.

Get the full tutorial at DIY Show Off.

13. DIY Tiered Herb Garden

DIY tiered herb garden, a stepped cedar planter of wooden boxes full of green herbs on a deck by a white railing

A DIY tiered herb garden keeps herbs up on the deck, where deer cannot reach them, and works well in small spaces. The build uses five 1x6x8 cedar boards plus 1×2 and 4×4 pieces for the supports and legs. Drill pocket holes on the bottom sides of each level and lay out every piece to check the sizes. Attach the bottoms with pocket screws and wood glue, building the left and right sides of each tier separately before joining them. A spade bit drills drainage holes, and clear silicone seals the joints.

Get the full tutorial at Decor and the Dog.

14. DIY Light Bulb Mini Planter

DIY light bulb mini planter, a pink painted glass bulb with white daisies holding green grass on a white stick stand

A DIY light bulb mini planter gives an old bulb a cute second life. Carefully separate the glass globe from the metal base. Paint the glass in your color, adding a second coat if needed, and once it dries, draw little flowers with paint pens. For the stand, cut 8 to 10 sticks to about 2 inches, hot glue them in pairs into A shapes, then join the pairs at the bottom, angling each one slightly so they form a round base. Fill the bulb with a small succulent or handmade paper grass.

Get the full tutorial at DIY JOY.

15. Cascading Flower Pallet Planter Box

Cascading flower pallet planter box, a tall wood planter on legs spilling bright purple wave petunias under a window

This cascading flower pallet planter box is built to let wave petunias spill over the front, and it is made almost entirely from pallet wood. Measure 20 inches down from the top of the legs and attach a 2×2 support with 2 1/2 inch screws, then repeat on the other pair. Nail or screw the bottom pieces to the supports. Cut pallet slats to 40 inches for the front and 16 inches for the sides and screw them to the legs, since brad nails let wet wood warp. Pine 1x4s work too.

Get the full tutorial at Her Tool Belt.

16. Chicken Wire Suncatcher

Chicken wire suncatcher, an embroidery hoop of chicken wire hung with colorful glass tulip bead charms and a ribbon bow

A chicken wire suncatcher is part suncatcher and part wind chime, with glass beads that throw color when the light hits them. Loosen the embroidery hoop and set the inner ring on chicken wire, lining it up with as many diamond shapes as possible. Cut it slightly larger, fold the edges and fit it back in the hoop. Thread tulip and leaf beads onto head pins, bend the ends and connect jump rings into short chains. Hook each charm onto a vertical wire, then tie on jute twine and a ribbon bow.

Get the full tutorial at DIY JOY.

17. Dragonfly DIY Yard Art

Dragonfly DIY yard art, two copper and brass wire dragonflies with colorful glass bead wings above green garden plants

Dragonfly DIY yard art turns copper tubing, brass rod, wire and glass beads into garden critters. Cut a short piece of 3/8 inch copper tubing for the body and drill holes for the wings, eyes and support rod. Solder two thin brass rods through the middle, then bend them around a dowel jig to form the wings. Wrap copper wire around each wing, threading on beads. Thread eye beads on wire, glue a small spring on for the tail and solder a long brass rod underneath so it stands in the dirt.

Get the full tutorial at Birds and Blooms.

18. Clay Plant Markers

Clay plant markers painted teal, blue, yellow and pink with stamped herb names, one pushed into a pot of thyme

Clay plant markers keep pots of herbs and veggies straight and double as garden decor. Roll air dry clay smooth, flatten it to the thickness you want and cut out the marker shape with a paper template. Stamp the plant name near the top with inverted letters, testing on a scrap first, then let it dry completely. Prime, paint each marker in its own color and outline the edges with a metallic pen if you like. Brush on a thin coat of UV resin and cure it under a UV lamp until it is no longer sticky.

Get the full tutorial at DIY JOY.

19. Golf Ball Ladybugs

Golf ball ladybugs painted shiny red with black heads and spots, scattered among green succulents in garden soil

Golf ball ladybugs are a playful bit of garden art, and any round or oval object works as the body. Sand the whole surface of each golf ball so paint grips, then spray it with primer. Once the primer dries, paint the ball red, then add the black head, center line and spots. Finish with a water based varnish to protect them from the weather. Scatter them through a rock garden, a flower bed or a potted plant so they look like they are crawling off on a little adventure.

Get the full tutorial at Art Drops.

20. DIY Container Water Garden

DIY container water garden, a large black pot of water with lily pads, a pink water lily and tall yellow canna leaves

A DIY container water garden brings water lilies to a deck or a small yard with no room for a pond. Pick a sunny spot, since tropical plants love sun, and a medium to large watertight container. Set potted water lilies, water lettuce and a canna lily in the water at the right depths. A few fish help with mosquitoes, and mosquito dunks cover the rest. Keep a small net handy for water changes. Most of the supplies came from big box and discount stores, for about $40 in all.

Get the full tutorial at Whats Ur Home Story.

21. DIY Wine Bottle Edging For Your Garden

Row of dark cobalt blue wine bottles set upside down in teal crushed glass as garden bed edging, under a title

DIY wine bottle edging upcycles empty bottles into a sparkling garden border. Save bottles in one color for a clean look or mix greens, blues and clears for something more playful. Dig a narrow trench along the edge of the bed, set the bottles neck down into the soil side by side and backfill firmly so they stand straight and even. The bottles go into the ground more easily than you might expect, so it is simple enough for beginners. Sunlight catches the glass and makes the whole bed glow.

Get the full tutorial at DIY JOY.

22. DIY Beaded Wind Chime

DIY beaded wind chime of rainbow bead strands with flower charms hanging from a dark branch against green foliage

A DIY beaded wind chime mixes shimmering beads, charms and tiny bells into garden decor that sings in the breeze. Lay out each bead sequence before stringing so the colors stay balanced. Use fishing line or strong jewelry wire so the strands hold up outdoors. String glass, wood and metal beads for texture, finish each strand with a small bell and tie them along a natural branch hung from twine. Lengths can vary from strand to strand. No two chimes ever come out the same, and the video shows every step.

Get the full tutorial at DIY JOY.

23. Make a Living Fence For Your Garden

Make a living fence for your garden, young willow saplings woven into a crisscross lattice beside a grassy path

A living fence uses rows of shrubs or young trees in place of boards or wire, and it gives back shade, a windbreak, less soil erosion and a home for birds and small animals. Choose a species that suits your climate and your purpose, from privacy to food or fuel. Plant the saplings close together, then rely on two techniques: regular pruning to push dense, bushy growth, and inosculation, where neighboring branches are woven or pressed together until they graft into one. Mature fences still need trimming to hold their shape.

Get the full tutorial at Eco Snippets.

24. Window Boxes That Won't Fall Apart

White window boxes overflowing with trailing flowers mounted under the windows of a cottage style house with trim

Window boxes are gorgeous until the wood splits and rots a few years in. These are built to last. The boxes are made from Azek, a composite that stands up to water, with a trim piece for the lip, and the soil sits in plastic liners held to the house with metal brackets. Since the soil never touches the box and the liners carry the weight, nothing rots and nothing sags. They drain well and are easier to care for too. Fill them with trailing flowers and your whole house front looks like it got a glow-up.

Get the full tutorial at The Lilypad Cottage.

25. Distressed Terracotta Pots

White distressed terracotta pots with terracotta showing through the dry brushed paint, holding green plants on saucers

Plain orange terracotta pots get a soft, aged look in minutes with this one. Dry brush white chalk paint on with a chip brush in a cross-hatch pattern, letting some terracotta color peek through, and paint the saucer to match. Matte acrylic works too if that’s what’s in your craft drawer. For extra wear, lightly sand the rim and bottom edges with 80 grit sandpaper. Chalk paint dries fast, so you can paint, pot and plant in one afternoon. Group a few on the patio steps and they look like you found them at a pricey garden shop.

Get the full tutorial at It All Started With Paint.

26. Painted Floral Garden Totems

Tall painted garden totems made from posts and vintage table legs with hand painted flowers and vines in a flower bed

These painted garden totems are pure flower bed eye candy. Each one starts with a 4×4 pressure treated post, topped with vintage table legs twisted in on hanger bolts and construction adhesive (heaviest pieces at the bottom). The base gets walnut gel stain, the top gets a coffee brown chalk paint, then you hand paint layered flowers and vines with artist brushes. Several coats of water resistant sealer protect them outdoors, and fence post anchors hold them in the ground. Make a few at different heights and your flower bed suddenly has a whole cast of characters.

Get the full tutorial at Do Dodson Designs.

27. Outdoor Fairy Garden With a Birdhouse Cottage

Fairy garden with a moss roofed cottage, twig ladder, terracotta bird bath with blue birds and wood slice stepping stones

This outdoor fairy garden starts with a plain wooden birdhouse that becomes the cutest little cottage. Hot glue dried pods to the front and sides, twigs over them for a door and a silk flower center for the doorknob. Preserved moss covers the roof, a twig ladder leans against the wall, and a tiny terracotta pot glued to a tray turns into a bird bath. Outside, add twig trees, a pebble path and small artificial birds, then tuck moss into the gaps. Kids love helping with this one (and honestly, so will you).

Get the full tutorial at Crafts by Amanda.

28. Modern A-Frame Birdhouse

Cedar A-frame birdhouse with a shingled roof and a round hole in a gold plate, set beside leafy houseplants indoors

Forget the fussy gingerbread birdhouse. This modern A-frame birdhouse is clean, simple and made from a single cedar fence plank. You glue two 8 by 6 inch walls and an angled base into an A-frame, trace and cut the front and back, drill the entry hole and add a copper entry plate. Cedar shingles glued on in offset rows make the roof, and the raw wood is left unfinished. Use untreated wood only, since pressure treated lumber can harm birds, and keep any paint off the hole and inside. Hang it on a tree screw and wait for tenants.

Get the full tutorial at Delineate Your Dwelling.

DIY Ideas for Your Garden - Cool Projects for Spring and Summer Gardening - Planters, Rocks, Markers and Handmade Decor for Outdoor Gardens

Stephanie Hicks | DIY JOY

icon

Stephanie

Since I lover experiments, I’ve alwaysnloved to create, paint, as well as cook and style food. I feel in love with DIY as soon as I discovered it and could not have been more excited when I learned I could share projects with people around the world. Taking photos is a passion of mine, as is design and painting with oils. I love holidays and celebrations, crafting cute little gifts and serving up at least one new recipe I am excited about.

Read More About Me

You May Also Like