With spring and, hopefully, better weather on the way, we’ve collated together some of our favourite garden brainwaves. Our top five includes an easy alternative to an outdoor table, as well as reusing old or unwanted materials.
If you have any crafts, upcycles, or hacks, then email tab.brainwaves@bauermedia.co.uk and you could see your idea in Take a Break!
Top 5 gardening crafts
1 of 5Keeping it green
Instead of using traditional liners for troughs or hanging baskets, I bought some offcuts of artificial grass. I think it looks much more attractive in my garden, and it's stopped the birds pecking at my plants when they're building their nests, too. Pamela Harris, Coventry, W Mids
2 of 5Branching out
When we gave our garden a tidy, we were left with some big branches. Instead of getting rid of them, we decided to make a den for our son Charlie, two. We propped the branches against a wall and placed a seat cushion on the floor. He loves his den and eats all his snacks in there. Amy Close, Dover, Kent
3 of 5A bicycle made for two
When my daughter Sally got a new bike, she decided to make a feature out of her old one. First, she painted the bike bright pink. Then, she cut the bike in half and welded the two parts to the inside of her metal gates. I think it looks fabulous. Beryl Reynolds, Cemaes, Isle of Anglesey
4 of 5Way to grow!
I wanted to grow some plants, but didn't have much room in my garden, so I decided to use an unused cold-water tank. First, I drilled a few drainage holes in the bottom. Then, I filled the tank with soil and planted some vegetables. As you can see, my plants are thriving! Jean Thornton, Scarborough, N Yorks
5 of 5Mitt for purpose
I didn't have a table in my garden, so I had nowhere to keep my phone, drink and copy of TaB. I hung my oven gloves over the arm and popped my essentials in one of the mitts to make a useful holder. It worked a treat — who needs a garden table after all? Beryl Farrell, Droylsden, Gtr Manchester