Use Old Shovels To DIY Cute Garden Signs On The Cheap

There are many creative ways to repurpose an old shovel in the garden, though some are more innovative or artistically interesting than others. Many worn-out shovels sit idly by in the garden shed while you spend your hard-earned cash on pricey pre-made outdoor decor. Instead, turning that old shovel or secondhand find into a personalized garden sign should only take you an afternoon. Shovels have large scoops — also called blades — connected to a long pole that provide the perfect canvas for garden signage.

While choosing the right shovel for your garden is important from a gardening perspective, this project is much more forgiving. Even a heavily used tool will work well — small scratches and imperfections add rustic appeal.If you already have an old shovel, earmark it for this DIY. Otherwise, head to your local thrift store to find one for a few dollars. Otherwise, if you have to buy new, a Spear & Jackson Workhorse No.2 Square Mouth Tubular Shovel will set you back less than $30.

This is a painting DIY, so you'll also need some paint. Of course, weather-resistant paint is essential for a garden project like this — you need something that can stand up to rain, sun, and extreme temperatures. Look for products designed for outdoor use on metal surfaces such as Rust-Oleum Stops Rust Spray Paint or an Abeier Outdoor Acrylic Paint Set. If you're artistically inclined, grab an Acoavo Stencil Drawing Kit while you're shopping online for an easy way to create pictures and patterns. Between the shovel, outdoor paint, and stencils (if you get them), this project is a relatively cheap way to add a unique flair to your garden.

Before you do any painting, you'll need to wash the scoop of the shovel with warm and soapy water to remove any built-up dirt or grease. If it's an older shovel, you may also need to sand the metal with medium-grit sandpaper to loosen any rust and create a rough surface for the paint to stick to. Next, decide on the purpose of the sign and the design. Different sized shovels can be repurposed in different ways. Tools with really large blades would work as welcome or instructional signs near a garden entrance, while small scoops could be used to identify trees or signpost different parts of the garden, like your vegetable patch, wildflower meadow, and fairy garden. You could display playful or funny phrases around your garden on shovels or DIY creative garden labels using this common household item.

Paint the shovel scoop with colorful flowers, polka dots, bees, butterflies, or vegetables — even if you're an amateur painter, a simple design will look nothing short of whimsical in a well-tended garden. You could also paint on a seasonal message or punny garden phrase. Make a few and swap them in and out of your garden throughout the year — think spring flowers, summer vegetables, and winter holiday greetings. Whatever design you decide on, apply at least two coats of paint to the scoop and allow the paint to cure completely before displaying your shovel turned garden sign outside. Once the scoop is decorated, you can simply drive the long handle into the ground near a garden bed or pathway. Or you can remove the handle and hang your new sign from a fence, shed wall, gate, trellis, or post using plant twine, wire, screws, or a sturdy hook.