Repurpose This: Coffee Cans, Garden Edition

As I mentioned last week, I was surprised, and thrilled, to find out how popular the topic of upcycling coffee cans has become. I am a super-achiever when it comes to creating empty coffee cans! But after honest self-assessment, I realized that all my fantastic ideas for repurposing them myself would not come to fruition unless I was also able to achieve power over the laws of time and space. Thank goodness for creative blog-readers and FreeCycle for giving these nifty cans new homes.

These are the Best Coffee Cans ever…smooth sides, paper label, and metal lid. The coffee’s pretty good, too. (photo by Back Creek Design)

With time drawing near to start planning spring planting, here are some ideas for using coffee cans in the garden.

Hanging planters made from coffee cans. I love how there are two cans per chain, slung over a rafter. Dynamic! (photo courtesy of Dishfunctional Designs)

There are a zillion garden storage uses. The CBRC cans I have come with metal lids. They can last for at least a season exposed to the elements, and make a great place to stash plant tags, twine, and gloves.

Another version of hanging planters, with all the cans strung on one line. This is so cute, and makes fresh herbs so accessible. (photo courtesy of Cheap Crafty Mama )

I also use them as vessels for seedlings, and for planting cuttings to use as gifts. With the ends removed, coffee cans make sturdy plant guards to protect tender seedlings from traffic and prowling kitties.

I love this wall of flowers! The skinniest space can get dressed up with an arrangement like this. (photo courtesy of Happy Sleepy )

Coffee cans make handy scoops for compost and soil amendments during transplanting. And don’t overlook the pre-garden prep work…a lidded coffee can makes a great compost bucket in the kitchen.

Add some screws and a handle, and some empty cans become a lovely flower caddy. (photo courtesy of Under the Table and Dreaming)

So put on that thinking cap and those garden gloves, and share some more ideas for coffee cans in the garden. Spring is just around the corner, I promise!