Five DIY Projects for a Sustainable Summer
Have you been itching to get your hands on some fun, eco-friendly activities you can complete in just a weekend? Perhaps you’d like to green your yard or make upcycled crafts for your patio. Whatever your fancy, we’ve pulled together some ideas for you, from an upcycled birdhouse to gardening essentials to candles made from fruit. So grab some gloves, get your shopping list ready, and prepare to do beautiful things.
1. Recycled Rain Barrel
Capturing rain for your lawn or garden can save hundreds of gallons of water, and during a wet summer like this one, we guarantee you’ll get a lot of use out of it! We love this tutorial from HGTV that uses a secondhand container and a stylish cover made from fence pickets and rope. One way to take it to the next level: fashion your cover from reclaimed wood.
2. Wood + Chicken Wire Compost Bin
We can’t think of a better way to save waste from going to the landfill. Our friends over at Practically Functional have put together awesome instructions that look gorgeous and only take 4-6 hours to complete. Don’t forget to read our guide on how to start composting at home—you’ll have a bounteous garden in no time!
3. Kitchen Scrap Vegetable Garden
Saving the ends of your green onions along with other cuttings is another great way to reduce waste. According to this video from Jet Set Fork, you don’t even need a green thumb to do it! This method will also save you a bundle on fresh produce. There’s no need to go to the store for your vegetables if you’re already growing some on your own.
4. Coffee Can Birdhouse
We tell you this from experience: nothing feels greater than transforming items from your scrap pile into attractive feature of your outdoor space. This project from Birds & Blooms takes an old coffee can and turns it into a paradise for your feathered friends. Personalize the finished product with stain, paint, or stencils.
5. Mason Jar Oil Candle
If you live in the South and aren’t enjoying evenings on the porch, you’re just not doing summer right. Elevate your experience with these upcycled beauties from A Piece of Rainbow. Other than a floating wick, all you need are some old glass jars, water, vegetable oil, and whatever materials you’d like to use for decoration. We can’t decide which options we like best—you can’t go wrong whether you choose fruit, flowers, or pinecones!