COLUMNISTs: KATRINA & CLAYTON
Composting is an excellent way to recycle kitchen scraps and garden waste into nutrient rich compost, which can enhance soil health and boost plant growth. Creating a compost bin from pallets is an affordable and straightforward project that will help you manage organic waste effectively.
Four wooden pallets Heavy-duty zip ties, screws, or nails A tarp or wooden planks (optional, for covering)
1. Select Your Site
Choose a level, well-drained area in your garden. Ideally, it should be easily accessible but not too close to your living area due to potential odours.
2. Assemble the Frame
Stand the pallets on their edges to form a square or rectangle. Secure the corners using zip ties, screws, or nails. This will create a sturdy, open topped box.
3. Optional Lid
If you prefer to keep your compost bin covered, attach a fifth pallet or use planks to create a lid. Attach this with hinges and add a latch to keep it secure.
4. Start Composting
Begin adding layers of green (nitrogen-rich) and brown (carbon-rich) materials to your bin. Turn the compost regularly to aerate it and speed up decomposition.
By using pallets, you can create a functional compost bin that helps reduce waste and enrich your garden soil, all while keeping costs low and promoting sustainability.
Vertical gardening is a fantastic way to maximise limited space, especially for urban gardeners. A vertical planting shelf made from a pallet can host a variety of plants, from herbs and flowers to small vegetables, providing a striking and space efficient growing area.
One wooden pallet Screws and saw
1. Prepare the Pallet
Check the pallet for any rough edges or protruding nails. Sand down any rough spots to prevent injury.
2. Saw the End
Decide on the height you wish to use and mark it right across the end. 3. Position
Screw into the fence you wish to use this on, using the back pallet pieces to screw into and paint as desired. 4. Add your Plant Pots
Add your chosen potted plants.
A vertical planting shelf not only saves space but also creates a stunning, living wall that can beautify any outdoor area.
Garden edging is essential for defining garden beds, pathways, and other landscaped areas. Using pallet planks is a budget friendly and attractive way to give your garden a neat and polished look.
Wooden pallets Saw and hammer Stakes or make your own from the scraps of the pallet
1. Disassemble the pallets
Carefully take apart the pallets using a crowbar or hammer. Remove all nails or staples and set aside the planks.
2. Cut to Size
Measure and cut the planks to your desired length according to your design and paint as desired.
3. Install the Edging
Dig a shallow trench along the edge of your garden bed or pathway. Place the planks vertically into the trench, tapping them down with a mallet or hammer. For extra stability, you can secure the planks with stakes 4. Backfill
Fill the trench with soil, packing it firmly around the base of the planks to hold them in place.
Pallet planks make for a charming and rustic edging material that blends seamlessly into any garden setting. This method also promotes sustainability by repurposing wood that might otherwise go to waste.
Repurposing pallets in your garden is an excellent way to embrace sustainability, save money, and add unique features to your outdoor space. Whether you are building a compost bin, creating a vertical planting shelf, or crafting garden edging, pallets offer a versatile and eco-friendly solution.
With a bit of creativity, you can transform these simple wooden structures into valuable garden assets that enhance both the beauty and functionality of your garden.
So, grab a pallet, roll up your sleeves, and get ready to make your garden greener and more innovative than ever.
Katrina and Clayton live with their family in East Ayrshire and share their daily life in the garden on Instagram. They practice permaculture principles in the garden, reducing and repurposing waste whenever they can. Katrina shows how home educating in nature has helped Clayton thrive.
Clayton Completed the 'Grow and Learn' course with the Royal Caledonian Horticultural Society last year. This year he started the Level 2 'Nurture' course. Clayton is 16, autistic, non-verbal, and has been home-educated for the last 5 years.
Katrina and Clayton featured on BBC 'Beechgrove' (Ep23 2022, and Ep17 2023), and are authors of the children’s series 'Clayton's Gardening Adventures: Stories of Autism and Gardening' available on Amazon.
You can keep up with Katrina and Clayton on Instagram, Facebook, and on their website.
