I love the look of metal and the clever crafter Maria of the blog Bubblegum and Duct Tape got her design on and posted a cute tutorial on how to use metal scrubbies to dress up recycled containers.
Have you read?
Don’t Toss That Old Fence! Here’s How to Give It a Second Life in the Garden
When our old fence blew down during the recent cyclone (thanks, nature ), I did what any slightly obsessive DIYer would do—I went straight to Google to find a way to repurpose the whole lot instead of sending it to the tip.
That’s when I stumbled across this brilliant tutorial from Journey with Jill about turning old fence boards into DIY raised garden beds. Total game changer. Not only does it save you money on lumber (which, let’s be real, isn’t cheap right now), but it also gives that weathered wood a gorgeous, rustic look that fits so well in the garden.
Her step-by-step guide is super practical, especially if you’re like me and not quite ready to part with “good wood” even if it’s a little rough around the edges. I loved how she emphasized prepping the boards properly and keeping the build simple—no fancy tools or complex measurements, just a solid, doable weekend project.
Why I’m Loving This Raised Bed Idea:
It’s eco-friendly (hello, upcycling win!)
The aged wood has such a cozy, natural aesthetic
It’s perfect for veggie beds, herbs, or even a rustic flower patch
And hey, there’s something very satisfying about turning storm chaos into garden calm
So if you’ve got a sad pile of fence boards and a patch of dirt calling your name, check out Jill’s full tutorial right here. Your future tomatoes will thank you.
Now I just need to convince the family that pulling nails from old fence boards is “fun quality time”