Don’t toss it, reuse it

18 Jun 2016

From DIY sandboxes and Eskies to pretty planters and seesaws, here are some ways to breathe new life into your old tyres, watering cans and wheelbarrows.

Upcycle your tyres Tyres aren’t the most environmentally-friendly item to be thrown out, but they can be repurposed for a multitude of uses in the garden. From hose caddies to planter boxes, there are plenty of fun ways you can reuse them.

Can’t get to the beach, or the grandkids want somewhere to play? Find a tractor tyre, paint it and add sand to create a unique sandbox.

Another idea is to use them to create a seesaw. You’ll need a tyre, two timber boards (one long and one short), handles and some paint. Simply cut the tyre in half, pop the small board in the open end to keep the two sides of the tyre apart and attach the long timber board on top.

And finally, bring your garden to life with some tyre animals, like turtles and flamingoes. There are plenty of websites that provide step-by-step instructions on how to create these animals, and while requiring a bit more effort, they’re definitely a talking point.

Recycle watering cans Old watering cans are perfect to house some beautiful flowers or plants. To give your watering can a new life, fill them up with soil and plant away.

Alternatively, there are some artistic ways that you can include watering cans, especially older ones, into your landscaping. Find a range of different-sized watering cans in different colours to create impact. Plant some plants and display them together and you’ve automatically got a beautiful garden bed.

You can also hang the watering cans from the deck if you have one, and pop some crystals or wind chimes in the spout.

Alternatively, you can completely rework the outside of the watering can, covering it in a mosaic pattern, to add a bit of colour.

A second life for wheelbarrows Wheelbarrows are definitely not just for gardeners; they can be a beautiful, and useful, addition to your garden. Fill the wheelbarrow with soil directly and you’ve got a planter box. Because of its size, you can even fill it with several complimentary plants.

The humble wheelbarrow is also the perfect Esky when you have some friends over for a barbecue – fill it with ice and pop some drinks inside.

Want to enjoy the garden during winter? Repurpose the wheelbarrow into a firepit.

And finally, if you have the skills to pull it off (or you can hire someone to do it for you), your wheelbarrow can be turned into a wonderful water feature. Just make sure the water is recycling itself so it’s not going to waste.