Build A DIY Vertical Garden Using An Item Everyone Throws In The Trash

Whether it's composting the scraps from last night's dinner or reusing household items around the garden, recycling is an essential part of making your garden more sustainable. On the other hand, keeping old materials around can take up space and quickly become a nuisance if you're short on storage room. Luckily, there is a solution to address active recycling and limited space: a vertical garden made from an item everyone (except gardeners) throws in the trash. Turn old milk jugs into a stylish new planter with this upcycled vertical structure.

Milk jugs are commonly used in gardens for a wide variety of hacks and DIYs. Of course, you can use them to carry water, hold seeds, or shield plants, but the potential doesn't end there. Flip them upside down and cut off the bottom, and you have the perfect planter for container gardening. All you need to do is find a secure way to suspend the planters in a stylish, vertical garden setup.

Whether you want an easy-to-manage modular garden feature or you're simply limited on space, a vertical garden is a practical addition to any gardening space. This DIY is so easy, it will blow your mind, and there are so many unexpected benefits. Aside from recycling, a vertical garden improves conditions for your plants by keeping them out of reach from pests like slugs. Before you get started, plan your setup.

There are two options for preparing your jugs, depending on the plant requirements. For plants that need deep containers, flip the milk jugs over so the cap side is down. Cut the bottom (now the top) of the jug off so you have a wide opening. Alternatively, for shallow planters, cut the top of the jug off and remove the front portion, leaving the handle and a shallow container for planting.

Get your plants started in the containers and get ready to hang them. Run a wooden plank or pole through the jug handles, positioning several jugs close together on the bar. Attach the wood piece to your vertical garden space. If you are making a freestanding garden, look for a backing that fits snugly on the handle so the containers don't wiggle. If the garden is hanging on a wall or has a permanent backing, any size pole or wood will do.

While there are many different ways to make a vertical garden, upcycling is a sure way to help you save money, no matter what style you choose. If you were to purchase a vertical garden from your local garden center, you could expect to pay between $30 and $100. By making it from milk jugs instead, you could end up making it for next to nothing, especially if you already have additional materials on hand.

Collecting empty milk jugs won't cost you anything; you may even be able to get some from neighbors or your community if you aren't a big milk drinker. However, that doesn't mean the project will be completely free. Consider the cost of other materials, like wood and screws. You can upcycle these materials if you have some on hand, but they aren't necessarily pricey. The overall cost will depend on the size of your structure, but you can buy 8-foot 2-by-4s for $3 to $5. Screws will most likely be your most expensive item, costing about $10 for a box of carpenter screws.