The Gardening Cook

Category: Creative Gardening Ideas

  • Snowman Wall Hanging – A Rustic Christmas Decoration

    Snowman Wall Hanging – A Rustic Christmas Decoration

    This snowman wall hanging is a rustic Christmas decoration that is made from an old kitchen door frame. It is super easy to make and looks great hanging on the shutters at our front door entry. Using recycled wood in this project saved me some money and also helps to save the environment. I have […]

  • Front Porch Decor for Fall – Autumn Entry Decorating Ideas

    Front Porch Decor for Fall – Autumn Entry Decorating Ideas

    It’s that time of the year.  Pumpkins, Indian Corn and autumn plants all help to make this front porch decor for fall a hit with visitors! Each year, I use supplies from the previous porch but mix them up a bit to make my fall front porch decor a little extra special. This year, I […]

  • Creative Gardening Ideas – 20+ Recycled Garden Decor Ideas

    Creative Gardening Ideas – 20+ Recycled Garden Decor Ideas

    Creative gardening ideas really appeal to the whimsical side of me. I love to recycle existing items from around the house for my garden decor ideas. Not only will you save money but you’ll help to save the earth, too. I must admit that I am not a normal gardener.  I don’t enjoy conventional landscape […]

  • Shoe Planters – Recycled Footwear makes a Great Garden Planter

    Shoe Planters – Recycled Footwear makes a Great Garden Planter

    Some of the most interesting planters and those that recycle items used for other purposes.  These unique boot and shoe planters make great use of old shoes and boots. Some have seen their better day and some look like new but all showcase indoor plants in new and unusual ways. Do you have some old shoes […]

  • DIY Hose Guides – Easy Recycled Garden Project – Decorative Yard Art

    DIY Hose Guides – Easy Recycled Garden Project – Decorative Yard Art

    These DIY hose guides are made out of short pieces of rebar with small plastic orange golf balls. They keep my hose out of the nearby vegetable garden and act as a decorative look to the garden as well. Do you have something special that you use for hose guides?  I do now, thanks to […]

  • Forcing Forsythia Indoors – How to Force Forsythia Blooms

    Forcing Forsythia Indoors – How to Force Forsythia Blooms

    I love anything that gives me a jump start on spring.  Forcing forsythia indoors lets me have the showy yellow flowers of the well known harbinger of spring – forsythia bushes . They are great to enjoy indoors well before they give you their cheery spring greeting outside. Luckily, it is very easy to force […]

  • Growing Onions indoors – 6 Ways to Grow Onions in Containers

    Growing Onions indoors – 6 Ways to Grow Onions in Containers

    This article shows you how to use onions as indoor plants. Growing onions indoors is a fun project and one that the kids will love to help with.Onions are easy to grow outdoors as well as inside the home.  They are one of those vegetables that we use often and the demand for this means that […]

  • Forcing Paperwhites – How to Force Paperwhite Narcissus Bulbs

    Forcing Paperwhites – How to Force Paperwhite Narcissus Bulbs

    Forcing paperwhites indoors will give you a delightful splash of spring color in just a few weeks. The project can be done in soil or in water and the kids will love to help. These pretty blooms can be used as a Christmas plant for decorating. Since spring is far off, these flowers on a […]

  • 31 Creative and Whimsical Bicycle Planters for your Garden and Yard

    31 Creative and Whimsical Bicycle Planters for your Garden and Yard

    Bicycle planters make great garden accents for both annuals and perennial plants. I love to find ideas about recycling or re-purposing household items in garden projects. Someone else’s trash can always be a garden treasure. Many bicycles have baskets or back carriers which are the ideal spot to tuck away some flowers and vines.  The […]

  • Colorful Patriotic Small Porch Decor Idea for the 4th of July

    Colorful Patriotic Small Porch Decor Idea for the 4th of July

    This patriotic small porch decor will greet your guests for the 4th of July in a cheery red white and blue way. It’s easy to put together, cost just $20 and is very cheerful and natural looking. Decorating a small front porch for the 4th of July can be a challenge.  If you add too […]

  • Wooden Succulent Arrangement – Upcycled Junk Gardening Planter for Succulents

    Wooden Succulent Arrangement – Upcycled Junk Gardening Planter for Succulents

    This gorgeous succulent arrangement started out life as a wooden drawer meant for tools of some sort. The upcycled junk gardening planter got a new coat of paint, some TLC and a few succulent plants and now looks as though it had been intentionally designed for the job. If you love succulents as much as […]

  • Starting Seeds Indoors with Jiffy Peat Pellets – How to Grow Seeds in Peat Pots

    Starting Seeds Indoors with Jiffy Peat Pellets – How to Grow Seeds in Peat Pots

    Get a head start on spring gardening by starting seeds indoors with Jiffy Peat Pellets. These handy peat pots have the perfect soil for seedlings and they can be transplanted right into the ground as soon as the weather is warm enough. This step by step tutorial features a Jiffy Peat Pellet Greenhouse with perennial, […]

  • Garden Arbors and Arches – Types of Gardening Trellises and Walk Through Arbors

    Garden Arbors and Arches – Types of Gardening Trellises and Walk Through Arbors

    Garden arbors and arches are set up as walk through areas in home gardens or public parks where one can welcome guests. There are many styles of arbors to choose from. Some are man made and others formed over time by nature. Trellises are often a part of arbors for the garden, giving some support […]

  • Propagating Succulent Leaves and Cuttings – Tips for Propagating Succulents

    Propagating Succulent Leaves and Cuttings – Tips for Propagating Succulents

    Nothing is more attractive to a gardener than getting new plants without having to pay for them.  And since succulents are a very sought after plant, it stands to reason that  propagating succulent leaves and cuttings is a popular project for many gardeners. Best of all, it’s easy and free! Succulents make fantastic houseplants and […]

  • Growing Wheatgrass Seeds Indoors – How to Grow Wheat Berries at Home

    Growing Wheatgrass Seeds Indoors – How to Grow Wheat Berries at Home

    This tutorial shows everything you need to know about growing wheatgrass at home. Wheatgrass is also known as winter wheat or wheat berries.  Sprouted seeds have many health benefits and can also be use in home decor projects and used as a stimulant for your cat’s digestive system.  Kitty is not the only one who […]

  • Earth Day Activities – Crafts, Food and Fun for April 22

    Earth Day Activities – Crafts, Food and Fun for April 22

    Ever since it was established in 1970, people around the world take part in Earth Day Activities as a way to celebrate National Earth Day on April 22. This day is now a worldwide event where more than 1 billion people take part in a day of action. Here are some things that you can […]

  • Watering Can Planters and Garden Art – Recycle your Watering Cans

    Watering Can Planters and Garden Art – Recycle your Watering Cans

    Watering cans are a staple of any gardener but, for me,  they are not just for watering plants.  I love turning them into watering can planters and using them as garden art. The size is perfect for potted indoor plants and the look of them transforms a plant into a work of art that looks great […]

  • Oddities of Nature – Crooked Vegetables – Funny Fruits and Scary Shaped Trees

    Oddities of Nature – Crooked Vegetables – Funny Fruits and Scary Shaped Trees

    Plants, vegetables and trees can grow into the most amazing shapes. These oddities of nature show that twists, bends and outgrowths can turn an ordinary plant into something that looks totally different.  This inspiration for this post came from a morning breakfast jaunt. After breakfast Richard and I were driving around and we came upon […]

  • Uses for License Plates – Using Number Plates in DIY Projects

    Uses for License Plates – Using Number Plates in DIY Projects

    There are dozens of uses for license plates if you just think outside the box a bit. The colors and designs lend them selves to loads of home decor projects, both inside and outside the home. Have you ever thought about using number plates in DIY projects?  Using recycled items saves money on the projects […]

  • Cleaning Clay Pots – How to Clean Terracotta Pots and Planters

    Cleaning Clay Pots – How to Clean Terracotta Pots and Planters

    Cleaning clay pots this time of the year keeps my garden still in mind and makes sure that they are ready to use when it comes to for early spring bloomers in a few months. When the days get cooler and shorter, it is time to put the garden to bed for the winter.   […]

  • Window Box Planters – How to Plant Window Boxes

    Window Box Planters – How to Plant Window Boxes

    Seeing how many ways there are to dress up your home with window box planters was inspiring. They are a fabulous way to create curb appeal and are easy to take care of. I have recently discovered a love for window boxes.  During my summer vacation, we toured 10 states and visited many Botanical Gardens. […]

  • Perserving Herbs by Drying and Freezing

    Perserving Herbs by Drying and Freezing

    Fall is the time to start thinking about preserving herbs that seem to be in abundant supply right now. It is getting to that time of the year again.  My vegetable gardening projects are slowing down and I have to start thinking about the first frost.  No worry though. It’s easy to preserve herbs by […]

  • Trench Composting with Kitchen Scraps

    Trench Composting with Kitchen Scraps

    What can you do if you don’t have the time or space for composting in the traditional way?  This is where trench composting is your friend. Most organic vegetable gardeners are aware of the benefits of having compost pile.  Adding kitchen scraps to a bin or mound of decaying plant matter gives the perfect mix […]

  • Best Gardens – Creative Gardening Ideas

    Best Gardens – Creative Gardening Ideas

    Here are some of my favorites gardening ideas from the best of the internet.  The ideas range from soup to nuts. There is something for all gardening styles here.  My only requirement for a recipe to land on this page is that it must inspire me and have something to do with creative gardening. Searching […]

  • Best Topsy Turvy Planters – Creative Gardening Tipsy Pots

    Best Topsy Turvy Planters – Creative Gardening Tipsy Pots

    I was getting my hair done a few months ago and my hairdresser showed me her latest creation – a topsy turvy planter creation (also called Tipsy Pots.)  At that point I had not seen topsy turvy planters, they they are now appearing everywhere on social media.  They take the term creative gardening to a […]

  • How to Propagate Spider Plants from Babies

    How to Propagate Spider Plants from Babies

    Love having new plants for free?  This project is for you.  It is super easy to propagate spider plants from the babies that the mother plant sends out on the ends of long arching stems.  Spider Plants – botanical name Chlorophytum – are one of the easiest of plants to propagate.  I first became familiar […]