Don't Toss Old Mason Jar Lids When There Are 18 Clever Ways To Reuse Them In The Garden

Many people use mason jars for a plethora of things whether it is for canning or as a vase. While there are many brands, jars from Ball and Kerr come with a lid that has two components — the screw band and the flat circle lid. While the jars are easily reusable, sometimes you are left with a rusted, misshapen, or extra covering that you have no use for. However, you don't want to toss your old mason jar lids because you can actually use them as plant labels or to craft suncatchers. You'll be surprised to find that there are at least 18 clever ways to reuse them in the garden.

Many people utilize mason jars for numerous purposes besides canning, including vases, cups, and décor. However, alternative uses for the lids are not as common as those for the jar, which is why these home and garden repurposing ideas are great, whether you use the lids on their own or as a feature in a project. Before working with this lid, you must thoroughly clean any food residue off the metal. It's also essential to keep in mind that these coverings will rust if exposed to high amounts of moisture. Therefore, you need to take proper care of them so you can use them for a long time. However, just know that once it becomes too rusty to the point of breaking, you'll need to replace it. For any wildlife feeding project, do not use lids with rust. 

Upcycle mason jar lids into beautiful window decorations with a DIY that turns them into stunning suncatchers. Also known as light catchers, these are stained décor pieces that are placed by windows to reflect light and create beautiful displays. For this project, all you'll need is contact paper, some dried flowers, and a mason jar lid. Tie it on a string and set out by a window. This is a whimsical way to decorate your outdoor space. You also can add this as an accent to other ornamental pieces like a normal wind chime or hanging plant.

Stop tossing mason jar lids and turn them into cheery wall décor instead for your outdoor space. While there are many different ways to incorporate these lids into a fun craft project, easily turn the detached screw bands into faux flowers you can hang in your porch, garden shed, or balcony, giving your outdoor space an extra pop of personality. Since it has fabric, it is best to place this item on a covered portion of your yard or garden.

A cool, useful gardening project you can try involves your lid and sprouts and is an easy way to grow alfalfa sprouts in a jar for a healthy harvest. For this hack, you don't need the flat metal lid. Instead, attach a cheesecloth or netting to the screw band part of the lid and then securely screw it back onto the container. Since there are many different sprouts you can grow, it's best to follow their specific care instructions. Then, set it out and let nature do its job. 

Transform your mason jar lids with inserts that aid plant cutting propagation. This is a technique gardeners intentionally use for faster plant growth or to get specific characteristics from an existing or parent plant. In many cases, plant propagation is done in individual containers until the plants are ready to be transplanted to a garden or a larger container. A mason jar lid insert is an excellent way to keep the cuttings in an optimal position to properly grow. Use cool lid inserts by leaf & node or keep it simple by drilling holes yourself.

Add some charm to your patio by using your extra jar lids in a lighting DIY. While small, the ring portion of your lid is a crucial part in this clever DIY that repurposes old mason jars to create a rustic-chic chandelier. For this project to work, you need to secure your screw band properly onto whatever surface you choose, like the plywood pictured above. Once the ring is attached and your choice of lighting is installed, add a covering to project the light. Then, place it above an outdoor seating arrangement.

Turn your mason jar lid into a striker pad for a cool outdoor match set. Instead of cutting out a matchbox pad, you can grab this circle honeycomb striker paper from JHZABPO and attach it to your lid. Stick it to the flat, circle metal and use the screw band for extra security. You can leave it as-is and place it in a drawer, or you can screw it back onto a jar filled with matchsticks. Set it next to your candles and get ready to conveniently ignite a match every time.

Attract butterflies to your garden with your leftover coverings. Since a saucer feeder is one of the best types of butterfly feeders you can easily make at home, use a mason jar lid to create a similar source of food. To complete this, you will soak a sponge or cloth in sugar water. Drill a hole in the jar lid and squeeze the damp fabric through the opening. Screw this onto a decorated mason jar so the cloth doesn't dry out. Hang upside down outside so the butterflies can land on the sponge full of nectar and dig in. 

Don't waste your lids when you can make a mason jar lid bird feeder DIY that will have birds flocking to your yard. You only need the ring for this hack. Place it on a tray and pour in gelatinous feed and refrigerate. Once it's solid, the feed should be exposed on both sides. Hang it outside on a branch and watch as the birds peck away at the feeder. Once finished, remove it from the branch, clean it, and make the next one. Toss the ring once it rusts.

As a savvy way to incorporate art in your yard, you can design a wind chime out of your mason jar lids. There are many different ways you can do this. But one option is to gather a few of them and decorate. Tie a number of lids to a stick with string, and the wind will cause them to bang against each other, creating sound. Another option is to tie natural elements like rocks to hit against them. Either way, it is a cool way to bring natural music into your outdoor space.

Get crafty and utilize your mason jar lids to turn them into an outdoor wreath. You can craft different styles with these lids, whether you want a seasonal one or an option that matches your garden's style. Place the flat pieces together to create a hanging wreath for your back door or fence. You can even use just the rings to construct this ornamental item. Don't forget to add other décor elements and paint colors.

If you have a garden, you'll know the pain and struggle that comes with pests intruding and damaging the result of your hard work. Stop this by using a mason jar lid to spread food-grade diatomaceous earth, an agent that kills pests, like aphids, snails, slugs, and ants. All you need to do is take the flat part of the lid and drill holes in it. Then, screw the lid back on your jar filled with this organic substance. Then, you can carefully sprinkle it around your plants.

Already have small or tea light candles? Your metal jar lids can be used to craft an outdoor candle holder. Glue the flat lid and ring together, creating a small dish or tray. Decorate the holder with paint, stickers, beads, gems, or anything else you find. Place your small candle inside and set it out on a table, plant stool, or lantern. The holder is a perfect tool to collect any wax that drips from the candle, instead of dropping on your plants, décor, and other outdoor elements.

Your mason jar lid can be transformed into a unique DIY planter. For this project, you'll need a washed screw band and flat lid. Once dried, grab a half-cut plastic bottle or jar that fits the lid and attach them together. Follow the soil and water instructions of the plant you choose, plant your seeds or shoots, and you're good to go. This is a great idea for plants in your garden that need their own container or as a starting planter.

Easily arrange your flowers in your vase or mason jar by strategically using your lid to place the blooms. For this hack, you'll need to add netting to the screw band to keep the stalks upright. An optimal material to use is one you can easily find in your pantry — an onion or orange bag. Set the packaging inside and then slide your flower stems into the holes. Your arrangements will stay in place even if you need to move your vase to a new location.

Whether you want to incorporate style into your garden or be able to see it at all hours, lights are a functional feature you should consider. Save money by using your mason jar lid to create handy outdoor solar lights for your yard. While you can accomplish this in a couple of ways, the easiest way is to install the solar panel of twinkle lights on the lid. Once finished, place the lights in a mason jar then screw the lid back on top.

Your metal jar lid can help easily differentiate your plants on a budget when you DIY creative garden labels using common household items. These markers can be crafted in many different ways and styles. You can keep it simple by writing the name of the plant on the metal and sticking it in the soil. Or, go to the next level by making more intricately designed plant labels and adding stakes. Reuse the markers every year when you replant your seasonal garden.

Grab your mason jar lids to DIY garden torches. While it can make a nice décor item, it can also help repel pests like mosquitoes. Some of the best scents for outdoor use include citronella, rosemary, lemongrass, and peppermint. To utilize your lid as part of a torch, glue the two pieces together. Follow the torch-making instructions of your choice, and use one of the above essential oils to elevate your garden and protect it at the same time.

As a clever way to repurpose old mason jar lids in your home and garden, you can build seasonal décor with it. Let your imagination run wild when creating your garden decoration. For some inspiration, a cute DIY you can try is turning the metal rings into pumpkins, which are perfect for an autumn garden. The flat lids can even be painted and decorated to create whatever ornamental piece you want for the holiday. If you have a garden in containers, turn the lids into festive plant stakes to provide some seasonal cheer.