“Now we have another reason to save egg cartons,” noted a resourceful parent choosing seedlings I had prepared for a Town of Maran
a gardening class. As I had hoped, the spinach “babies” from my porch greenhouse back in December went to new homes and also demonstrated a way to upcycle carboard containers originally made to hold eggs. I used to recycle or compost the cartons, also viable options. Now they are of greater value as effective seed-starting pots. The paperboard helps both distribute the water and aerate the soil, and at transplant time is easy to separate by tearing. Store-bought seed-starting systems also work well, but at my small scale of propagation I get to avoid that purchase.
In the title image, a former snack jar now holds a garden soil sample, on a thrift-store sheet that is my super-portable outdoor gathering space.
Can you spot more upcycling examples in the photo below?
- plastic berry basket plant cuttings trays
- wooden bread pan seedling pot
- wooden gate potting bench tops
- dog kennel panel compost barriers (to keep dog out!)
- tree container compost container
- milk jug self-watering pots
- battery container wildflower pots
- laundry basket plant transporter
Some talented friends have bold, beautiful examples of repurposing old materials. Artist Kate Norris improved her backyard landscape with (among many live versions of plants) a painting using her gate as the canvas, and a bench using reclaimed wood from an older piece of furniture.
I am neither a “nailed it!” crafter or skilled handywoman. I do take joy – and hope you can too – in creating practical new uses out of used materials. Some items that I upcycle were cast off by myself or my family. We saved soup cans for this lantern craft. Kid 2 couldn’t take his eyes off the new creations on a recent camping trip.
Some items I seek out at thrift stores and yard sales. The trellis on which many a rattlesnake bean has hung is also one of four corner supports for the fence of my vegetable garden. Super-sturdy, and super-cheap from a yard sale at least 5 years ago.
Circa 4th grade, a book about recycled-material crafts captivated me. I was both inspired and critical. I practiced making beads out of newspaper (used) and glue (already had), while at the same time I resented the slick, glossy pages of the book. Today I also recognize the hypocrisy of both learning and sharing about environmentally friendly creations – using high-speed internet relying on massively electric-dependent servers. Also like my early earth-conscious self, I cringe at buying new materials to fulfill an upcycling effort. Yes, I purchased new concrete blocks on which to set used wooden gates as a potting bench. Yes, I stock up on new bankers boxes to neatly store used materials – as well as specific class materials and lesson notes. When I make my own seed pots from locally-sourced potting mix and cartons from food I would have purchased anyway, it still feels like an appropriate step in reducing waste.
Kids are natural re-inventors. They already turn discarded boards into car ramps or caves, boxes into forts, and sticks into just about anything. Kid 1 has been asking for a plant fort. We were lacking a frame for the vines. Wait, hadn’t I taken away the boys’ “poles and balls” set after getting tired of it being used mostly for weaponry? It was an easy sell to help my son make a teepee shape, even with some broken pieces. At the base we planted sweet pea seeds. Stay tuned for whether positive construction really overcame negative construction in the kids’ garden!
What are your own reinventions of household items in the yard or garden? Please share, either in the comments here or on Facebook @TucsonNatureToYou. Thank you readers, students, and family for following my upcycling efforts and continuing to inspire more.
Photos by Anna Van Devender unless otherwise noted.