17 Garden Ideas DIY Cheap
Turning your outdoor space into a dreamy retreat doesn’t have to empty your wallet.
In fact, some of the best garden ideas are DIY and budget-friendly, proving that creativity beats cost every single time.
Whether you have a sprawling backyard or a tiny patio, these ideas are practical, charming, and surprisingly cheap to pull off.
I’ve tried many of these myself—some were inspired by late-night Pinterest dives, others from watching my grandma turn empty cans into flowerpots (true story).
Let’s dive into these 17 budget DIY garden ideas that will transform your outdoor space without breaking the bank.
1. Use Pallets for Vertical Gardens
Wood pallets are like the Swiss army knife of DIY gardening—sturdy, versatile, and often free if you know where to look (check your local grocery or hardware store).
Simply lean one against a wall, fill it with soil and trailing plants like herbs or petunias, and voilà—you have a vertical garden.
Why it works:
Vertical gardens are perfect for small spaces and give you that layered, lush look without taking up floor space.
Pro tip: Line the pallet with landscape fabric before adding soil to keep everything secure.
2. Make a Tire Planter
Old tires don’t belong in a landfill—they belong in your garden. Give them a second life as vibrant, quirky planters.
A splash of outdoor paint and some potting soil can turn that rubber ring into a colorful flower bed.
Cost? Practically zero. You can often find old tires at car repair shops, and most are happy to give them away.
Stat to chew on: Americans discard around 300 million tires per year—imagine how many of those could become gardens instead of waste.
3. Build a DIY Raised Bed with Scrap Wood
Raised garden beds don’t need to cost a fortune. With some salvaged wood or leftover timber, you can build your own for under $30.
Raised beds are great for improving drainage, preventing weed spread, and organizing your veggies like a pro.
Why I love it: It’s easier on the back, and you can grow more in a tighter space. I built one using old decking boards and it’s still standing five years later.
Bonus tip: Look for construction leftovers or ask neighbors for scrap wood before buying new.
4. Repurpose Tin Cans into Herb Planters
Got beans? Or at least bean cans? Don’t toss them. Tin cans make perfect mini herb gardens.
Clean them, paint them, poke a few drainage holes, and plant away.
I keep a row of painted cans on my kitchen windowsill, full of basil, thyme, and mint. They smell amazing and cost me next to nothing.
Eco-friendly and budget-wise. Two wins for the price of none.
5. Use Broken Pots for Fairy Gardens
That cracked terracotta pot that’s been sulking in the shed? It’s secretly begging to be a fairy garden.
Stack broken pieces into a tiered shape and plant succulents or mosses for a whimsical, otherworldly feel.
It’s a creative way to reuse what would otherwise be trash. Add tiny figurines or stones for extra magic.
Garden hack: Use pot shards to improve drainage in other planters too.
6. Build a Bottle Border
Plastic or glass bottles make a surprisingly charming and artsy garden bed border. Bury them neck down along pathways or flower beds.
Glass bottles reflect light beautifully, especially green and blue ones, creating a jewel-like sparkle when the sun hits.
Statistic worth noting: The average American throws away over 500 glass bottles a year. Time to recycle with style.
7. Grow from Kitchen Scraps
Save money on seeds by growing plants from your kitchen leftovers. Lettuce, celery, green onions, potatoes, and even garlic can regrow from scraps.
Here’s what I do:
Place the base of romaine lettuce in a shallow dish with water. Within days, you’ll see new leaves shooting up like nature’s encore performance.
It’s like magic. Free magic.
8. Create a DIY Stepping Stone Path
Concrete stepping stones from the store cost a small fortune. Instead, make your own with quick-set cement, an old cake pan, and some creativity.
Add handprints, stones, or leaves for a personal touch.
My kids and I made ours one weekend and decorated them with marbles and sea glass. It’s now our favorite part of the garden path.
Cheap, fun, and deeply personal.
9. Upcycle an Old Chair into a Flower Stand
That rickety chair no one dares sit on? Turn it into a plant throne. Remove the seat, drop in a flower pot, and give it a paint job.
I found mine on the side of the road during spring clean-up. It now wears a sunflower yellow coat and holds trailing ivy like it’s royalty.
Instant charm with zero dollars spent.
10. Make a Rainwater Collector
Why pay for water when the sky gives it away for free? Build a basic rainwater collection system using a barrel, gutter diverter, and a spigot.
Not only is this eco-conscious, but it can save serious money during dry months.
According to the EPA, you can collect up to 1,300 gallons of water from a 1,000-square-foot roof in a single summer.
Garden smarter, not harder.
11. Create a Mosaic Table from Broken Tiles
If you’ve got leftover tiles, glass bits, or old plates, you can make a mosaic garden table or stepping stone.
All you need is a concrete base and strong adhesive.
It’s therapy and decor all in one. I once smashed an old mug after a bad breakup and used the pieces in a table mosaic. Cathartic and pretty? Yes please.
Every piece tells a story—yours.
12. Build a Simple Trellis with Bamboo or Branches
Support your climbers (plants, not people) with a DIY trellis made from bamboo, sticks, or scrap wood.
Bind the pieces together with garden twine for a rustic, natural look.
Climbing plants like peas, beans, and morning glories love these structures, and they’re incredibly easy to build for under $10.
I made one from driftwood after a beach walk and it’s now the centerpiece of my morning glory corner.
13. Paint Rocks as Garden Markers
Want to label your plants without boring plastic stakes? Paint smooth stones with the names of your herbs and veggies.
Use acrylic paint or Sharpies, then seal with a clear coat.
They’re durable, colorful, and totally free if you collect rocks from your neighborhood or nearest riverbank.
Kids love this craft, and it makes your garden look lively and loved.
14. Hang Plants with Macrame or Rope
Vertical space is your best friend in small gardens. Use rope or macrame to hang potted plants from fences, porches, or trees.
You don’t need to be a knot wizard—a few simple loops will do.
Budget: Less than $5 per hanger with rope from the dollar store.
A hanging garden adds height, texture, and boho charm—like your garden just got back from a yoga retreat.
15. Use Old Drawers as Garden Beds
Next time someone tosses a busted dresser, snag the drawers. They’re perfect shallow containers for flowers or herbs.
Drill a few holes for drainage, fill with soil, and you’re good to go.
I have three lined up on my patio, each painted differently. One holds pansies, one thyme and oregano, and one… Lego bricks. (My son got creative.)
Unexpected, vintage charm on a shoestring budget.
16. Craft a Garden Chandelier with Mason Jars
Take an old chandelier (check thrift stores or online listings), remove the lightbulbs, and replace them with mason jars holding tealights or fairy lights.
Hang it from a tree branch or pergola for instant evening magic. I made one for a summer party and people still talk about it like I invented fire.
Chic on the cheap—and incredibly photogenic.
17. Turn a Ladder into a Plant Display
Old ladders make excellent tiered garden shelves. Lean one against a wall or tree, and place pots on each step. Paint it or leave it rustic—both work.
This is one of the easiest upgrades you can make to your garden’s visual appeal.
Pro tip: Secure it with stakes or tie it to a fence if you’re worried about it tipping over.
Final Thoughts: You Don’t Need a Fortune to Grow Beauty
Here’s the truth: A beautiful garden isn’t about money. It’s about intention, creativity, and joy.
You can spend thousands on designer landscaping—or you can grab a tin can, some string, and a bit of dirt and make magic for free.
These 17 garden ideas DIY cheap are not just budget hacks. They’re little acts of transformation.
They’re proof that with some imagination and elbow grease, any space can become a sanctuary.
I hope you try at least one of these this weekend. Start small. Start silly. But start. Your garden (and your soul) will thank you.
