Have you been to your local Dollar Tree lately? If so, have you checked out their gardening supplies? If not, then you’re missing out. Dollar Tree gardening supplies are inexpensive and yet work just as well as pricier options that you might be elsewhere. You can get gardening basics like seeds, of course. You can also get some gardening tools. Don’t stop there, though. Get creative and use everything from twine to popsicle sticks to work in your garden and make it more beautiful.

A Few Key Notes on Dollar Tree Gardening Supplies

You can get some of the below items as single purchases at your local Dollar Tree. Others are only available online. Those typically require a minimum purchase. You could buy in bulk for things you’ll use. Alternatively, perhaps you can split purchases up with other gardeners so that you all get what you need at the lowest price.

Garden Basics from Dollar Tree

A lot of Dollar Tree gardening supplies will help you with the basics of gardening. These include:

• Seeds: You can get a variety of different seeds to start or grow your garden. You can get individual seed packets. Alternatively, boxes of seed mixture. Look for the American Seed brand, for example.
• Seed Pots: Want to start your seeds in pots? You can get seed starter pots at Dollar Tree as well. A ten-count pack of American Seed Lawn & Garden Natural Fiber Seed Starter Pots costs $1.25 online. They have small seed starter greenhouses as well.
• Fertilizer. You might be able to find fertilizer spikes at your local Dollar Tree. If not, Dollar Tree online has them.

Note that you typically can’t get soil at Dollar Tree. That’s one of the basics you’ll have to look for elsewhere, unfortunately.

Dollar Tree Garden Tools

There are so many great tools that make gardening easier. Can you get them inexpensively at your local Dollar Tree? You bet you can! Check Dollar Tree online for different options.

• Gardening Gloves. Dollar Tree offers a surprising array of different gardening gloves. Fleece, jersey, and nitrile-coated fabric gardening gloves are among the options. They come in many cute colors and patterns.
• Watering Pails. Dollar Tree sells plastic watering pails. You can also purchase plastic watering stakes and self-watering plastic pots.
• Trowels, Small Shovels, Cultivators, Pruning Shears. These are some of the simple but necessary garden tools that you can get at Dollar Tree.
• Kneeling Pads. You don’t need fancy need pads to keep your knees safe in the garden. Instead, get affordable kneeling pads. You can lay these down anywhere you need to work in the garden, kneel on them, and move along.

Garden Decor from Dollar Tree

Dollar Tree has a range of outdoor decorations that you can utilize in your garden. Some of the things that you might want to look for include:

• Pots and Planters. Whether you want them for indoors or outdoors, you can add small pots to your garden at a low cost. Dollar Tree has stackable plastic and ceramic pots as well as metal planters.
• Baskets. When it comes time to collect the fruits and vegetables for your garden, use a lovely basket that you bought at Dollar Tree to help you with your harvest. You can also use baskets as decor in a garden. Keep an eye out for hanging baskets, too.
• Solar Lanterns. Add light to your garden with affordable solar lanterns from Dollar Tree. You can get them for $5 at Dollar Tree online, minimum purchase of 8. They also have solar stake lights in varied designs although the minimum purchase online is higher.
• Bird Feeders. For example, purchase an inexpensive hummingbird feeder to bring new life to your garden.
• Garden Stakes. You’ll find a wide variety of different decorative garden stakes to choose from.
• Plastic Plant Labels. Use these to mark which seeds you’ve planted so that you don’t forget.
• Decorative Ceramics. Look all around the store as there are a variety of these in different locations. Create little scenes to add some whimsy to your garden.
• Decorative Garden Stones. These come with a variety of inspirational sayings that will spruce up your garden.

Miscellaneous Dollar Tree Gardening Supplies

Some of the other items that you might want to get at Dollar Tree aren’t specifically for gardening but are great for DIY gardening. Explore the different materials that you might use to create what you want in your garden. create a Pinterest board. Then look for the supplies that you need at Dollar Tree. Examples include:

• Twine. There are dozens of ways to use twine in the garden.
• Nautical Rope. You can also use this in varied ways from creating a rope fence to making your own macrame plant hangers.
• Weed Barrier: Dollar Tree offers 4×8 sheets of fabric for $1. Use them to create weed barriers in your garden.
• Wire Wreath Forms. Use these to guide some of your plants into interesting shapes.
• Spray Bottles. Use these for misting plants, spraying pesticides, etc.
• Dixie Cups: These are perfect alternatives to seed starting pots.
• Popsicle Sticks. Many people like to use popsicle sticks as DIY plant markers. You can get them at Dollar Tree. Do note, however, that there’s some controversy around this because they tend to mold quickly.
• Citronella Incense / Candles. Keep the bugs away when you’re sitting out in your garden.
• Dishes. Get an assortment of small dishes for varied use around the garden. They can become decorative plant saucers, colorful mosaic stepping stones, or charming bird baths.
• Small Tables. Place pots on small stackable tables in your garden. They’re available at a low price over at Dollar Tree.

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If you take a look around your home, or even in your recycling bin, then you will probably find items that you can use in your garden. This is, obviously, good for the earth. When you upcycle everyday items into functional garden decorations, it also saves you money. After all, you don’t have to buy something to enjoy the function you’re creating when you use something that you already have.

Benefits of Upcycling in the Garden

Upcycling items for your garden has several benefits including:

Environmental Conservation

Upcycling reduces waste and promotes sustainable practices. By repurposing or reusing items that would otherwise end up in landfills, you contribute to the conservation of natural resources. Moreover, you reduce the need for new production. Remember: reduce, re-use, recycle.

Financial Savings

Obviously, we love frugal gardening options around here. Upcycling allows you to save money on purchasing new garden items. Instead, you can creatively transform everyday objects into functional garden decorations.

Unique and Personalized Garden Design

Upcycling gives you the opportunity to create one-of-a-kind pieces for your garden. Each upcycled item becomes a unique feature, making your garden stand out. By repurposing different materials, you can add a personal touch and express your creativity.

Flexibility and Versatility

Upcycling offers flexibility in terms of both design and functionality. The possibilities are endless. You can tailor your garden design to suit your preferences and needs.

Educational and Creative Experiences

Upcycling provides an opportunity for learning and experimentation. It encourages you to think outside of the box. This helps you to develop your problem-solving skills as you explore new ways to repurpose objects.

Encourages Gardening

Upcycled items can make gardening more accessible and enjoyable. By getting your creative brain thinking about how you can repurpose items into functional garden decorations, you get more and more excited about getting out into the garden. It keeps things interesting as the old becomes new again.

Everyday Items That Can Be Functional Garden Decorations

With enough creativity, you can repurpose just about any items into functional garden decorations. That said, here are some of the most popular everyday items to upcycle for the garden:

Old Tires

You can use old tires in the garden in many ways. They can become:

• plant beds and raised planters
• fencing, edging or used as a retaining wall
• trellis or shelving for a vertical garden
• lawn furniture and tire swings
• steps or stairs

I also recently learned that you can use them to make a small pond. Dig a hole in the ground and place a large tire inside the hole. Then line the tire with a pond liner and fill it with water. You can even create a small water feature by adding aquatic plants and small fish, just be sure to include Pond Pumps and any other necessary equipment if you plan on expanding your pond and enhancing its features. This is a great way to repurpose a large tire and attract wildlife to your garden. However, if you are looking for something a bit bigger than a tire for your pond, you’ll need to ensure that you have the space of course. You don’t have to go too big and can always keep it simple, but it would be nice to add something decorative that makes your garden stand out. Plus, you can add a plethora of additional features to your pond if it’s bigger, such as pond fountains or mini-waterfalls.

Mason Jars

Mason jars are great for creating hanging lanterns or tea light holders. They can also become candle holders or you can insert solar-powered LED lights into them. These enhance the ambiance of the space, of course. However, they also serve as functional garden decorations since they bring light to the space.

Other ways to use mason jars as functional garden decorations include:

Add An Herb Garden Section to Your Garden

Fill mason jars with soil and different herbs. Hang the jars using twine. You can also use to create a hanging herb drying rack. Tie bundles of herbs together with twine and hang them upside down in the jars to dry.

Terrariums

Build mini terrariums inside mason jars by layering rocks, charcoal, soil, and small plants such as succulents or air plants. The clear glass allows you to observe the tiny ecosystem. Terrariums can be displayed on tabletops or used as hanging gardens.

Seed Storage

Use mason jars to store and organize your seeds. Label each jar with the seed type and date collected or purchased. The airtight seal of the jars helps maintain seed viability and keeps them protected from moisture and pests.

Garden Tool Storage

Attach mason jar lids to the underside of a shelf or a board in your garden shed or workspace. Screw the jars onto the lids, creating practical storage for small gardening tools, seeds, or other small items.

Other everyday items that you can turn into functional garden decorations for tool storage include:

• Wooden pallets, crates or boxes
• PVC pipes
• Buckets, bins, or other vessels
• Hanging shoe organizers
• Old aprons or purses with pockets

Plastic Bottles

Plastic bottles can be upcycled in numerous ways:

Hanging Planters:

Cut the top portion off a plastic bottle. Then poke holes in the bottom for drainage. Next, hang it upside down using string or wire. Fill it with soil and plant cascading flowers or herbs. Hang multiple bottles at different heights for an eye-catching vertical garden.

Self-Watering Planters

Create self-watering planters by cutting a plastic bottle in half and inverting the top portion (with the cap removed) into the bottom half. Fill the bottom half with water and place it in a tray or container. Insert a wick, such as a cotton string or fabric, through the bottle cap and into the soil. This allows the plant to draw up water as needed.

Drip Irrigation System

Make a DIY drip irrigation system by poking small holes in the bottom of a plastic bottle and burying it next to your plants. Fill the bottle with water. It will slowly release water into the soil.

Wine bottles, plastic bags, used ice cream containers, PVC pipes, and old watering cans can also all be recycled into drip irrigation systems.

Garden Edging

Cut plastic bottles into strips or use them whole to create edging. Bury them vertically along the edge of your garden beds to create a decorative and functional border. The different colors and shapes of the bottles can add visual interest to your garden.

You can also upcycle wine and beer bottles to create garden edging. Rope, twine, and bricks are also good choices if you have any around.

Seed Starters

Cut off the bottom section of a plastic bottle. Then use it as a mini greenhouse for seed starting. The clear plastic allows sunlight to penetrate while retaining moisture.

Other great everyday items that you can turn into seed starters include egg cartons and newspaper.

Bird Feeders

Create a bird feeder by cutting out openings on the sides of a plastic bottle. Insert wooden dowels or sticks through the bottle for birds to perch on while they feed. Hang the bottle in a tree or attach it to a fence or post.

You can also create bird feeders by recycling:

• egg cartons
• toilet paper rolls
• pinecones
• chipped tea cups
• citrus halves!

Plant Markers

Cut plastic bottles into rectangular shapes. Write the names of the herbs on the plastic with a permanent marker or paint. Then simply insert them into the soil next to each plant.

Kitchen utensils also make great plant markers. Just write the information on the handle and stick the spoon, fork, knife, or spatula into the ground!

Read More:

• Are Old Tires Toxic to Plants?
• 45 Upcycling Ideas for the Garden
• 5 Cheap Substitute for Seedling Trays
• 50 Cool Upcycling Ideas for the Garden
• 5 Ways Healthy Gardens Help the Planet

I am a crafter. Mostly, I crochet, although I also knit and weave and collage and enjoy some other crafty activities. As a result of my craft, I have a lot of yarn in my home. Most of it I will use to crochet, of course. However, over the years, I’ve found that yarn can be used in myriad ways. So, I got to thinking, how could I use yarn in the garden? Here are five ways that the frugal material of yarn can add both beauty and function to your gardening:

1. Self-Watering Plants With Yarn

Don’t spend a lot of money on an automatic drip system to water your plants. Instead, use yarn. Real Simple explains that you can place a jar of water near your potted plants. Insert one end of yarn into the jar and the other deep into the soil of the plant. When the plant needs water, it will actually draw what it needs through the yarn from the jar. Amazing, right?!

2. Make Wool Compost

There are many different fiber types when it comes to craft yarn. If you craft with wool, then you have a lot more options in the garden. It’s a natural material that will break down in the environment. It’s safe for your land and your plants. For example, you can actually make a wool compost that works as well as peat does for mulching.

3. Make a Yarn Trellis

There are many different yarn trellis patterns and tutorials. Whether you make a simple yarn grid or a complex crochet trellis, you can use this in your garden to grow your plants vertically. It’s one of the most affordable ways to build up and it’s pretty as well.

4. Decorating the Garden with Yarn

Speaking of pretty, decor is one of the most popular ways to use your yarn in the garden. You can yarnbomb your plants and trees, knit or crochet ornaments to hang in the garden or create an entire little yarn fairy garden. Yarn adds even more color to your garden.

Note that you can also use yarn to label your plants. Assign each plant a specific color of yarn. Tie that color to a plant stake to place in the ground near the seeds for that plant. This is a great way to both decorate your garden with yarn and also remember what you planted where before it starts to grow each season!

5. Plant Holders

You can decorate any of your plant holders, indoor or out, using yarn. You can crochet or macrame hanging baskets to hold pots that you want to keep up off of the floor. Even if you don’t have any specific craft skills, you can wrap yarn around containers or pots of any size to decorate them.

BONUS: Crafting in the Garden

Although I didn’t include it in the main list, I can’t neglect to mention the most obvious way that you can enjoy yarn in your garden. You can take your yarn out into the garden and craft there! Knitting and crochet offer so many health benefits. So does nature. When you combine the two by crafting in the garden, you reap more benefits of each/

Read More:

• DIY Squash Trellis Under $10
• Frugal Container Gardening
• 7 Financial Benefits of Backyard Gardening