31 Genius Pool Noodle Hacks And DIYs That Will Transform Your Garden

The perfect water toys for a day of swimming are pool noodles, but what do you do when you just have too many? Don't toss them out just yet! From creating a water sprinkler to filling a planter, there are countless pool noodle hacks and DIYs that will transform your garden into a more functional and stunning place.

Pool noodles come in just about any color and size and are made of polyethylene foam. This material is lightweight and water-resistant, making it the ideal item when dealing with any kind of water activity, whether it involves the pool or planting. While the basic swim noodle is the most popular, there are a few other options you can readily purchase, including jumbo, clamp-on, and solid-core. You may already have a jumbo or solid-core around the house, especially if you have kids or love water aerobics, making it easy for you to apply it to different projects in your yard and garden. In all of these projects, you will be cutting the foam with a serrated knife, miter box, or electric knife. With any of the tools, make sure to wear protective gear like gloves and safety goggles and to follow the device's instructions.

Lining the edges of your planters with a pool noodle will act as plant padding, protecting your plants as they grow. Cut a straight line down your water toy to fit the edges of your garden or flower bed. If you have a plant like a pumpkin or zucchini that already has a growing stem, gently set it down against the foam. Over time, the padding will begin to degrade, so just replace it when it begins to break down at your touch.

There is a pool noodle hack that makes watering your garden a breeze by turning it into a sprinkler. Grab a screwdriver and punch holes into the foam deep enough to go to the hollow middle. After that, insert your water hose into the round opening, letting the water squirt from all directions. This works on watering your lawn and plants as well as keeping kids cool on a hot day. You can wrap a zip tie or tape around the connected section to secure it.

Turn your outdoor space into a magical setting by using swim noodles for floating tea lights. This project is fairly simple; all you need to do is slice your noodle into small discs with a hole in the middle. Grab your waterproof, solar tea light and stick it inside the hole. Then turn it on and set it on the surface of your pool to create a floating light.

Create a cool planter by building a floating ring out of pool noodles. Take your swim tool and cut it up into can-sized cylinders. Glue the foam pieces together to make a ring or run a cord through them, instead. Attach your water plants onto the ring and then stick it in your water feature. Remember to continue following the care and maintenance that comes with the plants you choose. But once they grow and cover the foam rings, it will create a beautiful statement in your water.

Some plants and trees need additional growing support, so use a pool noodle for the job. Trim the noodle down to the size of the stalk or trunk and create a slit deep enough for them to fit. For larger bases, you may have to zip tie two divided noodles together. This will keep the plant standing upright, letting it grow properly. Just replace the hollow foam once your plant outgrows the current support size.

Water noodles can easily turn into holiday décor in your yard. With many different ways to create something, it can work for just about any holiday. From spooky snakes to winter candy canes, you can do just about anything with these bad boys. When the holiday is over, you just need to pack it up for the next year. Since these flotation devices are cheap and easy to find, it's an easy way to craft decorations for different celebrations.

With enough creativity, a swim noodle can be turned into garden or yard art. There are many ways you can accomplish this artistic project, including just creating a large piece for a fence or wall. Bend your noodles in any direction to build different shapes. You can even cut the foam into various sizes to create art like fireworks or flowers. You could go the extra mile to paint the foam and stick things into it, creating a one-of-a-kind item.

This viral pool noodle hack for saving potting soil in large pots utilizes a chopped-up noodle to fill planters. You can stuff your planter a couple of ways, like chopping the foam up into various smaller sizes to throw at the bottom. Place your soil on top for planting whatever you wish. You can also set the noodles strategically upright, then plant your plants and floral arrangements in the planting spaces left. Just ensure to follow the plant's care and growing instructions. This hack works great with fake flowers.

If you want to attract bees to a specific spot in your garden, you need to create a bee watering station. To achieve this project, fill a bucket or container with water. Trim your pool noodle to create round discs that help these buzzing beauties drink water without drowning. Set around your plants or in an area you want the bees to visit.

Have a hose that keeps bending, making it hard to water your plants? Then, all you need is a pool noodle to fix it. Chop the waterproof noodle down to around the size of the tap spout and make a slit in the foam. Then place the hose inside to keep it straight and hold it in place before connecting it to the tap. Add zip ties for extra durability.

Swim noodles can be reused to help your plants grow when you add them to a trellis. These foam noodles, especially the solid-core ones, are pretty durable and strong, being able to stand upright while holding plants. You can even use this foam as a protective barrier for plants from sharp trellis materials. Wooden and metal trellises will also benefit from its waterproof nature when you slide them into the hollow section.

Create a 2-in-1 repurposing project with an old trampoline and pool noodles by making a trampoline garden. Take the perimeter of an old trampoline and secure it in a spot where you want a garden. You can fence it all off, creating a safety barrier from rodents, pests, and other issues. Use the foam noodles as a covering around the top and legs to protect plants from the sharp metal edges and to help with animal proofing. Then, you can fill the trampoline area with planters containing plants that work best in your area.

A lot of gardeners try to create a safer garden area by illuminating their space. However, those pesky cords can easily become a tripping hazard. Thankfully, this brilliant pool noodle hack for your home and garden tools will make the cords more visible and less likely to be tripped over. All you need to do is cut the swimming device down to fit the plug section of the extension cords. Make a slash in the noodle deep enough so you can shimmy the outdoor cord in. This also protects it from water, dirt, and rough handling.

Whether your garden is on your porch or next to a sidewalk, unsightly cracks in the concrete can cause weeds and grass to emerge, overtaking your garden. Plus, these gaps only get bigger over time. But did you know that a pool noodle could help you repair your concrete patios and sidewalks? All you need to do is tear off a section on the foam toy that fits in the crack or gap. Once it is snuggly in, squeeze some outdoor caulk and smear it on top, keeping it in place once it dries. 

An easy pool noodle DIY that you can quickly accomplish is an outdoor wreath. To do this trick, you need both ends of the needle to meet, creating a large circle. You can attach the ends with velcro, ribbon, or glue. Wrap the circle with fabric, jute rope, or ribbons before adding decorative elements like flowers and leaves to create a wreath that you can hang on a door, arch, or fence.

If you're a cactus lover, you'll understand the struggle that may come with maintaining and pruning these prickly guys. That's why using this simple water toy to protect yourself is a smart idea. Start by cutting it into smaller bits. Then take those pieces and slice down the middle. Now, you can wedge them over the thorns on your plant, so you can easily handle the maintenance without getting pricked.

Add elegance to your garden by creating an outdoor arch made out of pool noodles. Grab enough swim noodles to frame the area. Stick skewer sticks into the foam and then attach the setup to a wall or flat surface with command strips and zip ties. Once the foam is up, attach ribbons, greenery, and flowers to the skewer sticks to cover the noodles and create a statement piece in your outdoor space.

When you want to provide shade for your garden, a canopy is a nice addition. That is, until water begins to puddle on the tarp roof. Stop this from happening by using pool noodles. Set up your canopy like normal and shimmy in halved or full-sized swim noodles into each corner. This will lift the sections of the tarp that typically sink in when rain falls, allowing the water to drip off the edge instead.

Is your container garden on a concrete patio, balcony, porch, or deck? Easily clean up the space without much effort by trying out a clever pool noodle hack that makes it easy to keep your home clean and organized — a floor squeegee. All you need to do is chop your flotation toy to fit the prongs of a metal rake. Slide it on, pour a cleaning solution on your floor, and watch as your squeegee rake easily glides and cleans the concrete.

Grab your pool noodles and use them to build faux topiary. For this trick, wrap the water toy around a broom handle, securing it in place as you go to form spirals. Once fully swirled around, get some fake moss or other greenery and stick it to the foam. Ensure the entire setup is covered, then stick it into a weighted planter. Next, set it outside anywhere and enjoy not having to worry about maintenance and care.

Turn your garden into a vertical hydroponic one! And an easy way to do so is with pool noodles. Cut your water toy into small discs and have a container with evenly sized circles to fit the foam pieces. Create notches in the noodle, and gently slide a sprout in. Then place it in your tray and you're good to go! Just remember to follow the care and growing instructions for every plant you choose. 

Take the focus off your ground for a little bit in your garden by suspending moss poles made from your favorite floatie. Take a foam noodle and cut it in half. Grab some hanging wire or rope and attach it to one side of the stick. Then grab hand fulls of moss, compacting it around the foam. Find twine and tightly wrap it around as you continue to cover the pole with moss all the way up to the top. End by tying it off and hanging it around your garden. 

Elevate your outdoor space with pool noodles for building an outdoor water fountain. Duct tape two noodles together to make a circle. Stack multiple of these on top of each other until it is at your desired height. Place in a PVC pipe close to the bottom where you want your fountain mechanism to be. Set a tarp down and cover mortar mix on the sides and the bottom of noodles. Let it dry, take out the noodles, complete the fountain exterior, then sand and decorate. Add the fountain system and water, then enjoy!

Those old pool noodles can be repurposed to create a planter. Take two of the foam tubes and attach them together with tape to form a circle. Stack multiple noodle circles on top of each other, using tape to keep them together. Wrap burlap fabric around the noodles, also creating a base at the same time. Cut smaller foam noodles and place them on the bottom, stuffing them full with a fake floral arrangement. 

Let your garden exude elegance and sophistication with a lovely garden chandelier. Attach two swimming tubes to create a large circle. Stick in greenery, flowers, and lights, filling the entire piece. Grab battery-operated LED lights and securely mount them in four different spots to help the ring hang safely and properly. Once done, suspend over a covered garden. Add some chairs or benches around, so you can thoroughly enjoy the scene you have created. 

Is your garden under some windows? Take advantage of the whole space by adding hanging window planters. And while you can do all the work that comes with it, you can instead keep it simple by using pool noodles and fake flowers to fill them. You'll be spending a lot of time on your garden anyway, so you might consider a faux window planter for a change. Plus, it makes it easy and fast to alternate your window decoration based on each season.

Have an ugly tree trunk hanging around in your garden? There's a way to make it look better without having to dig out the stump. All you need is to take multiple water foam tubes and cut them to a size that'll leave just their tops sticking out when you place them inside the stump. Stick in fake flowers and greenery to bring beauty to that once-unsightly spot. You can even alternate every season, picking an arrangement that matches the time of year. 

You can easily enhance your garden by adding benches so you can enjoy nature's beauty. However, did you know that you can make comfortable, outdoor pieces with pool noodles? Cut these noodles in half vertically, then trim them down to fit the length of the flat piece of wood that'll be your bench seat. Grab some fabric and alternate between stapling the foam to the board and then stapling the material on top. Staple the cloth ends to the back and attach the legs. Place your creation in your garden to have the perfect perching spot. 

Protect your plants in your garden during harsh weather by crafting a hoop garden with pool noodles. Use three noodles and arch them to where they connect on either side by a pole or stick. Then place a plastic covering or a tarp, sticking in garden sticks into the foam to keep the plastic in place. For extra stability, place large rocks or bricks at the bottom of the covering to keep it from flying away. When the weather gets better, you can easily remove the tarp.

Some plants in garden beds need additional space for their roots to grow properly, but your existing bed is already a specific size, making it hard for you to accommodate plants with specific needs. That's no issue when you have a pool noodle. Trim the foam down to where it can easily fit across the section you need raised. Create a slit or notch so you can slide the noodle over a corrugated sheet divider. Once in place, it will give your plant those extra inches it very much needs. 

A cool feature that you can add to your garden is bamboo sticks or poles. Thankfully, you don't have to actually grow bamboo when you can simply grab your pool noodles instead. Take a black marker and create lines around the noodles, all evenly spaced. With a heat gun, slightly melt down the marked area. Once that cools off, take some foam paint and mimic the look of real bamboo. Let everything dry and then set them around as a privacy screen or even a trellis in your garden.