How to Turn Unsightly Tree Stumps into Workable Garden and Outdoor Elements

Let’s face it: those unsightly tree stumps in the front or back yard are not doing much to enhance the natural beauty of your garden. Tree stumps can be an eyesore, and especially if you are set on having an eye-pleasing garden. Tree stumps can also be quite expensive and difficult to remove. If you are willing to work with the unsightly tree stumps in your yard, here are a few ideas for transforming these eyesores into workable garden and outdoor elements.

Disguising Unsightly Tree Stumps as Workable Outdoor Decor

Instead of spending hundreds or thousands of dollars to remove your tree stumps, why not simply work around them? Indeed, you can create several workable outdoor decor elements that revolve around your tree stumps, including a quaint old wishing well. This project works best if you only have one tree stump, or if your tree stumps are spread far enough apart throughout your out door space. You can build or buy a pre-made decorative yard wishing well to place around the perimeter of the tree stump. Pre-made decorative wishing wells can be purchased unfinished or finished in a variety of colors and designs. Most wishing wells are round enough that they will fit well around tree stumps. This is a charming outdoor decorative element that is an easy way to disguise unsightly tree stumps in your yard.

Working With Your Unsightly Tree Stumps to Create a Dazzling Display

Instead of trying to completely disguise your tree stumps, you can use them to create a dazzling container garden display. Use the tree stumps as pedestals on which to place your decorative pots and containers. You can choose a planter or container that is around the same size as your tree stump and use the stump as a plant pedestal. Use smaller planters to create a decorative ring around the tree stump. For this type of project, you can really unleash your creativity. Use coordinating and colorful decorative planters and containers to create a fun and creative tree stump garden display.

Use Your Unsightly Tree Stumps as a Fountain or Statue Pedestal

You can also use your unsightly yard tree stumps to create an interesting statue or fountain garden display. Tree stumps work as natural pedestals. You can ring the tree stump with decorative yard displays, including coordinating flowerpots or containers. In the middle, you can place a decorative fountain or statue that stands as the centerpiece of your display. This is a fun and easy way to make the most of your tree stumps.

Use Unsightly Tree Stumps as Building Blocks to Your Garden Display

With a bit of work and ingenuity, you can turn those unsightly tree stumps into an integral part of your garden design and display. Using a saw or other tool (depending on the strength, size and location of your tree stumps), you can cut your tree stumps so that they can act as ’stepping stones’ to your garden. Shave down each tree stump at intervals to create the effect of ‘building up’ to your main garden display. This is a fun and easy way of working with your tree stumps to create an unusual and eye-pleasing garden design.

Smooth Down Your Tree Stumps to Create Ready-Made Garden Seating

This is a fun and practical way to make use of those unsightly tree stumps. You can build a decorative garden display around the tree stumps, and then smooth down the stumps themselves into comfortable and smooth tree stump seats. Create your own meditative Zen garden, and use the tree stumps as well-worn meditating stoops where you can sit and take in the surrounding garden.

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Frugal Planter Idea – Recycle Old Tires

Are you looking for an easy and fun way to liven up your garden? You can choose colorful and decorative planters to create a dazzling display of blooms, but this will probably cost you hundreds of dollars just in planter costs alone. But there are many ways to make your garden distinct and unique without having to spend so much money. If you have access to old tires, why not recycle them by creating original planter displays? Here are some steps so that you can turn those old eyesores in the backyard into oddly beautiful planter displays. These directions are designed to give you a beautiful flower-shaped tire planter.

Step 1. Locate old, worn tires. The process of converting old tires into feasible planters is much easier with well-worn tires. You will only want to choose flexible old tires. Use your foot to test the tire. If the inside area, near the rim, ‘gives’ a little, that means you have a viable old tire to work with.

Step 2. Clean off the tire before you get started. You will be making chalk marks on the tire, so you want to make sure that your marks will remain clear. Use chalk to draw petal shapes along the outer face of the tire. You can use large plastic cups to make round flower petals. Let your creativity and imagination grow as you use your chalk to draw patterns along the tire.

Step 3. Use a sharp knife to carefully cut along the pattern lines that you have drawn on the tire. You will get the best results by using a very sharp, non-serrated knife. This process can be difficult and trying, especially if you are stuck using a dull knife. Be extremely careful when cutting through rubber with a sharp knife. It can be difficult to get a firm grip and to exercise complete control in this difficult medium, so take care where you cut. Once you have carved out your flower design from the tire, put this section aside.

Step 4. Get ready to turn your tire inside out. Now that you have cut out a flower pattern, whatever is left of the tire should be an artful and unique starburst design. This is the most difficult part of creating a flower-shaped tire planter, but the results are well worth the effort. Begin by pulling on one of the petal-shaped sections of the tire. Use your foot to hold down the tire as you begin to pull the tire inside out. Ideally, you will want to make sure that you are working with an old, worn-out tire that is flexible enough to be turned inside out.

Step 5. Here comes the fun part. Hopefully you have succeeded in turning the tire inside out. Now it’s time to decorate. The easiest way to add color to your new creation is to use spray paint. Let your imagination go wild as you add color and decorative flourishes.

Step 6. Add potting soil. You can use your rubber tire planter with or without soil. Of course, you will want to choose the location of your tire planter before you add soil. Once you have placed the tire planter in the location of your choice, add potting soil and plant away.

Tips for Slicing Through Rubber

The hardest part of designing a tire planter can be slicing through the rubber. The best way to get started is to cut a few inches by sawing through with your knife. Then pull up the rubber as you cut, holding the rubber away from your body as you cut. If you find that it is still too hard to cut through the tire rubber, you would probably be better off with a sharper knife.

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Easy Gardening While Short on Space and Time

Do you wish you want to establish your own garden, but you simply do not have the space? If so, don’t give up. With a little creativity, you will find that there are many ways to establish a fine garden without the use of much space. When space is short, let your ingenuity take over. Here are some ideas for saving space and time while still being able to establish your own garden to enjoy and share.

Using Decorative Containers to Create Your Own Garden Oasis

Who said that a proper garden should always be big and expansive? The truth is that you can create your own garden oasis with just a few strategically placed gardening planters. If you are an apartment dweller with no yard to speak of, take heed. There are many easy ways to establish a garden oasis without a yard. If you have access to patio, fire escape or rooftop, you are well on your way to your own version of gardening paradise. Choose colorful (depending on your taste and environment) and decorative planters. Choose a variety of planter sizes, from very small herb-sized containers to large gallon planters. Choose hardy perennial plants that do not need to be cared for on a daily basis. Container gardening is a boon to gardeners that are short on space because you can move your garden around to your liking, and create a unique garden design.

Choosing the Best Plants if you are Short on Space and Time

One of the easiest ways to establish a space- and time-saving garden is to choose the right plants from the very start. What are the right plants for a space- and time-saving garden? Ideally, you will want small plants that do not require an excessive amount of water, sun, pruning or any kind of daily care. Consider a cactus garden made up of many different varieties, colors, textures and blooms. Many cacti do well in container gardens, and typically they do not need extended care. Simply make sure that they are well established in their respective containers and place in a sunny location. There is an incredible amount of diversity in cacti, and you will surely appreciate the color and texture that this kind of garden can provide your home with. Choose hardy perennials to accent your cactus garden.

Look Up – Hanging Planters Saves You Space

Look up – what do you see? One of the best ways to save space is to take advantage of hanging planters. Hanging planters are easy to install. You can choose from a variety of planter designs and sizes. No matter where you live – apartment, condo or small house – chances are that you can find space for a hanging planter. These add a lively decorative touch to your patio, backyard or even in a sunny indoor location. There are many hardy perennials that do well in this environment. Choose easy to care for plants so that you don’t have to worry about a daily watering schedule. Invest in a watering can designed for planter watering so that when it does come time to water, it is a quick and efficient process.

Raised Beds Give You Space to Grow Fruits and Flowers

If you are working with limited space or poor soil, consider building or installing a raised bed. Raised beds come in all sizes and it is an easy way to control the plant environment. You can build a raised bed to your space specifications, and plant a variety of plants and flowers in a single bed. With your own raised garden bed, you can even grow your very own vegetables!

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