Upcycling makes the gardener truly thrive.

What’s the car tire doing in the garden? It’s getting its upgrade to Tire 2.0. Why should it contribute to the growing pile of discarded rubber parts? Instead, it’s found a cozy spot at the edge of the shrubbery. In its center, a cluster of variegated hostas thrives, interspersed with bergenias and accompanied by ivy, which cheekily grows over the edge. A typical case of upcycling! The continued use of items from a household that are meant to be discarded is becoming increasingly popular among gardeners. Rightly so. After all, who would be more creative than the hobby gardener!

This is how a wicker chair with a broken seat transforms into a colorful plant object, proudly showcasing malvas in the summer. Or an exciting mix of bright red poppies and royal blue delphiniums. What an eye-catcher, especially right behind the entrance to a country garden! For those who prefer something larger, an old wooden door can be draped to create a garden room. Add some climbing vines, and the idyllic retreat is perfectly set up. And it can get even more gigantic. Ladders also have their end of service. They find a peaceful resting place in the garden, with plants greening every step. As the clematis twines around the frame and the blooming black-eyed Susan lets her gaze wander from the rungs, the combination of nature and civilization is beautifully achieved.

Now, let’s scale it down a bit. This is where the old toolbox comes to mind, which finds a second life as a plant dish. It fits perfectly into any garden bed and makes a great addition under the window of the craft shed. Are you thinking of throwing out those old boots? Don’t! Instead, fill them with soil and let blooming life burst forth from them! From tulips to autumn asters, there are no limits to a gardener’s imagination. Whether on the terrace or as a complement to a garden seating area, these boots have transformed from trash to a decorative feature.

This applies to so many items that are banished from the home because they’re broken or outdated. Small shelves and vases, stools, and old lamps are waiting for a second life outdoors. The kitchen turns out to be the birthplace of botanical creativity. Egg cartons are perfect for starting seeds, the salad spinner becomes part of a herb spiral, and the many cans provide a new home for succulents. Especially the tin containers in various sizes can be combined and stacked. Painted in bright colors and filled with plants, they make quite an impression. The same goes for the numerous jars that so often end up in the recycling bin once emptied.

Now it gets a bit magical. Sure, only the Icelanders believe in elves. But it’s so much fun to create a place where these little, friendly winged creatures would surely live, if they existed. For this, take an old birdbath, stuff it thoroughly with plenty of moss, and shape it into a small hillside landscape. Add stones in various sizes that resemble trees or bushes in their shape. Place the whole thing next to a large fern, which will shelter it with its longest fronds, and of course, don’t forget the idyllic elf flowers around it. Anyone would move in here if they only had the right size!

Finally, here's a little trick for the Advent season. Collect a few bottle corks and top them with felt hats in red and green, almost the same size. Add a little cotton beard, and then place them by your Christmas star! The celebration can begin.