Transform An Old Bike Wheel Into A Garden Feature With A Clever DIY

If you're looking for a fun DIY to add something unique to your garden, look no further than a simple bicycle wheel. You'd be surprised at just how many stylish ways to repurpose bike wheels in your home or garden there are, including using one to create a unique planter display. This DIY is helpful for gardeners who have limited space and need to go the vertical garden route. Don't worry — there are many plants that will work in a vertical garden if your goal is to get more foliage with little ground to work with.

This project involves stripping the bicycle wheel down to the metal frame and attaching a few planters to the spokes of the wheel. You can make it your own by painting the wheel and planters or adding extra decorative accessories. Mix and match the flowers and plants in the pots for a customized look. You can use a single bicycle wheel and place it in the garden, or make three or four to hang up and create a feature wall.

For this DIY, you'll need a bicycle wheel and at least four planters (multiplied by how many you want to make, if choosing to do more). For the planters, you'll want small or medium-sized containers with drainage holes. Of course, you'll also need soil and plants to go in the planters, and you'll need craft wire and wire cutters, too. Optional supplies include spray paint and a heavy duty utility J-hook with a screw and screw driver.

To begin, remove the tread of the wheel, which is the outer rubber lining that attaches to the metal rim. To do that, deflate the tube by removing the cap on the valve and letting all the air out. Squeeze the rubber to release any extra air and begin to pull it away from the rim. You can use the end of your screwdriver to help pry the rubber tubing off the rim, if needed. Discard the rubber parts, and at this point, you have the option of painting the metal rim. Gather your planters, and feel free to paint them, as well.

Once everything is dry, add soil and plants to the planters. Measure enough crafting wire to wrap around a single planter, then double that amount and cut the wire to size with wire cutters. Repeat for each planter. Wrap a single wire around the upper half of a planter, twisting it in the back tightly enough that it stays in place. Then, using the excess wire, twist it onto a bike spoke to secure the planter in place on the wheel. Use wire cutters to remove any extra wire. Repeat for each planter until they are all attached to the wheel.

When the wheel is complete with planters, place it in the garden by leaning it against a wall or propping it up on a table or bench. You can also hang it up by attaching the utility J-hook to a fence or the side of your home, and hang the wheel on it. Hang three or four wheels along the same space, which can make for one of many unique ways to turn your backyard into a secret garden oasis.