8 Smart Ways To Reuse An Old Colander In Your Garden

If you've got an old colander lying around, don't throw it out. There are several clever ways to repurpose a colander around the house and garden, making it a versatile cookware item that can extend its life beyond the scope of the kitchen. Whether you're an avid veggie grower or just someone looking to spruce up your outdoor patio or gardenscape, these DIY ideas for reusing an old colander can give it a new purpose and help you achieve some quirky decor. 

It may seem obscure, but if you've got a green thumb, an old colander can be repurposed into a garden planter or used as a compost bin, becoming a much-beloved tool in your garden. And if every plant you've ever grown always seems to perish, don't fret. There are plenty of decorative DIY upcycling ideas to reuse that old cooking utensil. So, before you toss your well-used kitchen colander or place it into a donation bin, consider getting creative with this humble kitchen item instead.

Transforming an old colander into a strainer flower pot is a classic move. Now, you might be wondering, "Can you really plant flowers in a kitchen colander?" The answer is yes! Not all plants will thrive in this kind of pot, but it can be a great way to offer more airflow or proper drainage to plants that need it. Simply fill your strainer with pebbles or a plant liner prior to adding soil and your precious plants.

Composting is a wonderful way to add nutrients to the garden, but compost can stink. Rotting veggies produce some unpleasant odors, and not everyone wants a compost bin right by their back door. Get creative and turn an old colander into a compost bin buried in the garden. Dig out a hole that fits the colander, sink the dish into the soil, add compostable materials, and then cover the colander with a lid. The idea is that through watering or via insects, the composted nutrients will slowly leach into the soil and support the plants.

Another great way to repurpose an old colander is to create a stunning hanging basket planter. Use pebbles or a plant liner before adding soil to your colander. Next, pot your plants. Once potted, you can turn this planter into a hanging basket by tying jute string to the handles or threading it through some of the colander drainage holes. Metal chains on a hook, specifically made for hanging planters, can also be used if you prefer a sturdier option.

While you could rinse your veggie harvest in your kitchen sink, sometimes it's better to do so prior to bringing your harvest indoors. Root vegetables can be covered in dirt, which could clog up your drain. Instead, create a veggie rinsing station using a colander and a tub of water. Add your vegetables to the colander, fill a larger container with water, and rinse your vegetables by dunking the colander into the water and sifting to remove dirt and debris. You could also use your colander to carry produce and rinse off debris using a hose.

If you're a little crafty, you can turn foldable metal strainers into yard art with a quick DIY project. Using pliers, remove the feet or rod-shaped handles on the foldable colander. Next, spray paint the top and bottom of the colander any color you desire. Once the paint has dried, attach the metal strainers together to create "petals." Hammer and bend some metal spoons before supergluing them to the backs of the colander flowers, to use them as hooks. Slide the spoon handle into a slim metal pipe to create the stem. Finally, screw and bolt the ensemble to secure it.

Some gardeners use old colanders as spreader for weed prevention, compost, soil, fertilizer, or seeds. Add your materials to the colander and shake it around over your garden bed. This method acts like a smaller version of a lawn spreader. By shaking the colander to sprinkle your product, you can enjoy a more even spread as a result. This method could be better than tossing handfuls of whatever your soil needs by preventing it from clumping.

For a no-tools-needed garden DIY, you can transform an old colander into a quirky bird feeder with ample drainage. Place a small metal colander into a round wire wreath form. The colander handles rest on the wire, and the base of the colander sits snug in the center. Using hanging planter chains, attach the chains to the wire wreath form, allowing the ensemble to hang. Fill the colander with bird seed and place it in your garden.

Another fun, decorative garden item to add to your garden is a wind chime, and you can DIY one with an old colander. Add hanging planter chains to your colander to hang it, either right-side-up or upside down. To make the chimes, use beading wire and tie it through the colander holes. String beads along the wires to create decorative arrangements. Next, add chimes or reuse old cutlery, tying the wire around the pieces and allowing them to dangle. Be sure to test your chime to ensure the strands are secure and that it achieves the sound you desire.