Are you looking for a way to add dimension and interest to your garden area? Is your dilemma one of limited space? Try adding an old pallet to your plans for an inexpensive solution to many gardening challenges. You might already have one lying around that you can repurpose. You can also seek pallets out at small, independent garden and hardware stores, or other stores that frequently ship large items like motorcycles or power equipment. Always be sure to ask before you take them — a lot of larger companies have contracts with companies that come and pick up empty pallets.
Once you have found a pallet, you should clean it up and determine if the pallet has been chemically treated with preservatives, especially if you would like to plant edibles into your pallet garden. After that, the key to incorporating a pallet into your project is to tap into your creative side and think a little outside of the box — or maybe inside the box in this case! Here are ten clever ways to use a pallet to enhance your garden projects.
1. An interesting way to use a pallet in your garden is as a small vertical garden for a patio. Vertical gardening is a great solution to the problem of limited space. A pallet can be stood on end on a patio or other small space for a touch of botanical beauty. You have the flexibility of stocking your vertical pallet garden with herbs, succulents, vegetables or flowers.
2. Outdoor lounge furniture is often expensive, but with a little work, pallets can even be turned into lounge chairs. Add a few cushions and these pallet lounge chairs can be the perfect way to enjoy all the fruits of your labor in the back yard.
3. Raised garden beds can also be made from pallets. Raised beds promote improvement of soil since they are not easily walked on. There is improved soil drainage, and a raised bed allows for a longer growing season since they warm earlier in the spring and stay warmer later into the harvest season.
4. For an even more abundant harvest, pallets can be stacked and strategically positioned to use both horizontal and vertical surfaces for planting.
5. With a few pallets, build your own a composter that can be placed anywhere in your yard. Composters aid in providing organic food for your garden plants. Check out these quick and easy plans for building a basic pallet composting bin.
6. No shed for you large gardening tools? No problem. Here is a super easy way to use a pallet for tool storage.
7. Another useful and aesthetic option is to create a potting bench by piecing together two or three pallets. A potting bench is a great place to store your smaller tools and pots, to keep seedlings that need extra attention close at hand or to feature your favorite foliage.
8. A fairy garden is a project for the youngest gardeners or for those young at heart. The smaller size of a pallet is a manageable size for a perfectly magical fairy garden. Click the link for a step-by-step guide to building your own enchanted garden in a pallet.
9. Another youth-inspired idea for your garden area is to add a pallet swing. Pallet swing plans range from a simple seat to a full-size bed. Get inspiration with this photo collection of pallet swings.
10. Nestle an easy-to-build pallet bench into any little garden niche. What’s better than a place to sit and smell the roses?
11. This post goes to 11, and further. Check out this terrific Pinterest board of pallet garden ideas, which will keep you busy for quite a while.
Do you have another DIY garden idea for an old pallet? Seen some other good ones that we should have included? Leave us a comment to keep the ideas coming!
I love how you pointed out that pallets can be used as vertical planting surfaces when placed strategically! My wife and I want to get into gardening and grow the most beautiful garden in our neighborhood. We’ll be sure to keep your tips in mind as we find pallets near us!