You Won’t Believe the Creativity of These Gardeners

James Loftus - March 20, 2023

Everyone loves a nice garden; it is a place where you can relax in the splendor and the harmony of nature. And gardens can come in all shapes and sizes. You can have a simple set up with some grass, a few flowers, and a plant or two. Or you can test the limits of your imagination with a voluminous array of greenery, fountains, bridges and even a coy pond. And designing and constructing a garden lets you express yourself while making use of the gifts of nature in an incredibly creative way. With all of that in mind, here are 37 essential tips that every gardening lover ought to follow.

Possibly the best hack out there!

This may be one of the more creative, and dare I say useful, hacks on this list. Planning a vacation can be a stressful endeavor. You have to book the hotel and flight, rent a car, and set up the passes for whatever amusement park you plan on visiting. But also, you have to worry about what you’re leaving behind, your plants. While most plants will do fine for a week on their own, a longer time away may require some hydration, and that’s where this brilliant little hack comes in. All it takes is a pot of water, some yarn, and a small step stool, and your plants will never long for hydration.

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One of a kind

Not only is this a table top garden, it’s a table top garden with a waterfall set up to seat a guest list of twenty people! Whoever engineered this created one of the most unique garden pieces of all time. Enjoying a summer dinner with red wine as the waterfall cascades from the table has got to be one of the most interesting and peaceful events one might have. Just imaging settling into your seat to chat with your friends in such a serene environment. And let us not forget the surrounding area, complete with a bright, pebble floor, colorful shrubbery enclosed with unique and interesting wood fencing. Simply a splendid place to be.

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The perfect herb set up

You’re cleaning out the garage, and you come across some pristine wood planks that your husband has long since abandoned. Rather than tossing them in the garbage, why not use them to make some planters for your favorite herbs? Just image, you’ll be able to grow what you like: fresh cilantro for those yummy tacos, beautiful parsley for those French omelets on Sunday mornings, and even some garlic for that tasty pasta sauce you’ve been working on. And the beaty of it all is that you know that you are getting the freshest herbs out there! What more could you ask for?

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A better use for that old pool

Maintaining a pool can be an expensive and time consuming endeavor. You’ve got to always keep the thing clean which means investing in gallons of chlorine, and you have to pay for the electricity to run the pool pump. In the end, you may not even be using the thing enough to justify the cost and effort. Well, this homeowner came up with a fantastic way to change things up both aesthetically and practically, by transforming their pool into a beautiful garden, complete with plants, flowers, and herbs. Now, instead of raking the pool with a net to pull out dead leaves, they are raking the soil of their various planters and enjoying the fruits (and vegetables) of their labor.

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Don’t throw it out!

Now I’ve seen many a tutorial on expert growers propagating their plants in order to expand their garden, but I really wasn’t aware that this is something that is perfectly doable for the lettuce in your refrigerator? But apparently, it is! And the process is the same. Cut off the lettuce from its base, place it in water, and wait for a new base to form and your lettuce to grow anew. The end result, you will have grown your refrigerated greens into new and fresh lettuce just in the nick of time to put some on your favorite sandwich!

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What a way to recycle and save space!

This enterprising person found a wonderfully creative and practical use for his collection of plastic bottles. And in doing so, he was able to solve for available space all while helping to save the planet. The solution is a simple one. Just cut the bottom of each bottle, arrange them on the wood shelves, fill them with soil, pot your plants and viola! You now have a striking showpiece that will capture the attention of your guests, and provide you with the perfect vehicle to help your plants blossom without the need of a large back yard.

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Mix your passions together

Image source: Reddit.com/Anna_Banananana

This woman was growing a cantaloupe in her backyard, but as this summer fruit began to take on size, it outweighed the stem that was supporting it, so she came up with an idea. Why not use her favorite hobby, crocheting, to weave a little “hammock” for the growing treat. The beauty here is that, not only will she be able to keep the progress of her cantaloupe moving in the right direction, she gets to do so in a creative fashion that will also add color to the situation, and make for a wonderful conversation piece.

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Don’t throw away that old wood

Image source: Reddit.com/warrenwoodworks

One of the beautiful things about gardening is that you can also incorporate recycling into the process, such as with the plastic jugs used as receptacles for your small plants and flowers. In addition, you can also take the wood from that old fence and repurpose it. All you have to do is use some basic measuring skills and a bit of elbow grease, and you can build your very own gardening beds. These work wonderfully as you can construct them according to the dimensions that will work best for your back yard, and you can arrange them any way you like. Just be sure that the wood you recycle from that old fence was not treated with any type of chemicals as this will wreak havoc on anything your try to grow.

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I see the light

This homeowner was having difficulty growing her plants indoors due to a lack of available light exposure. Even though she had placed the plants next to a window, the window faced north which meant that it really did not get direct sunlight during any part of the day. To compensate for this, she came up with the ingenious idea to place a mirror behind the plants which added to the sunlight exposure. The end result was that the plants began to flourish like they never have before.

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The green teepee

I’ve heard of creating a lattice structure for your ivy to grow and flourish, but that wasn’t enough for this particular homeowner who wanted just a little bit more. Rather than attaching the lattice to her backyard wall, she got a little more creative and constructed a teepee. Not only did the ivy grow and grow, but she also planted an array of colorful flowers at the base. Said flowers did a great job at accentuating the teepee and bringing some color. To finish things off, she added a colorful mulch on the floor of the teepee, finishing off a very interesting creation.

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Perfect symmetry

Often times when gardeners, especially ones who are new to the game, set up a mass of plants and flowers, the whole thing ends up looking more like an episode of hoarders than something classy out of Better Homes and Gardens. They try to cram every type of plant, flower, and herb known to man, into a tightly confined space to where the whole thing looks more like overgrown brush than a tastefully constructed garden. Well, this person did it right. She made sure to space things out so that the bushes are not crowding into the tulips, and the tulips are not overgrowing onto the fountain. In the end, her efforts resulted in a clean and attractive garden.

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Repurpose that old shoe bag

This person found a way to use the limited available space to create a “vertical” garden full of blossoming plants and flowers. And he did so in the most ingenious way, by using the same concept as one of those shoe racks you hang on the back of your bedroom door. The guy was able to add a wide variety of colorful greenery to brighten up his back yard, and he did it on the cheap. If you are living in limited real estate with one of those small patios, this is a fantastic way to get in touch with your green thumb.

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It’s pumpkin time!

Image source: Reddit.com/RigaMortizTortoise

November might be one of my favorite months, because that’s when we get all these incredible pumpkin themed treats. Of course, everyone is familiar with pumpkin pie, pumpkin cookies, and of course, the legendary pumpkin cheesecake. But that’s not where the pumpkin fun ends. There is also pumpkin creme brulee, pumpkin swirl brownies, and peanut butter pumpkin fudge. You can even take the fresh pumpkin from your garden and whip up a pumpkin milk shake.

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The taste of sweet success!

Image source: Reddit.com/Johnny_Carcinogenic

Taking up gardening can be a very rewarding experience. You go out each day and tend to your babies. You take care to fertilize and water them, and then, almost out of the blue, they reward you with ripe, juicy tomatoes, and yummy squash. This gardener was able to grow some very large and sweet pineapple that she was able to uses for a variety of desserts including pineapple upside down cake, pineapple carrot cake, and she was even able to come up with a yummy recipe for pineapple coconut popsicles!

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What a bright idea!

This homeowner appears to be living in some type of a desert climate where the temps are high, and the water levels low, resulting in, at best, sparce greenery. But she came up with a very creative and interesting way to give the appearance of a much more robust garden. With the addition of a simple watering pot connected to some outdoor wiring, she was able to turn what is essentially a tree stump surrounded by small rocks into a nice and attention grabbing display.

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Complex yet simplistic

If you live in a dessert climate, you know all to well that your options for greenery are limited at best. You can forget about creating a back yard full of plush, green grass complimented with an array of sunflowers and tulips. At the end of the day, you are pretty much limited to one of the only plant species able to survive in this environment, the cactus. This artful home owner found a way to take his fascination with cactus and turn it into a very classy and interesting backyard display.

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Oh, the possibilities!

While this is not exactly the same house, it does demonstrate the possibilities for creating a masterpiece of landscaping prowess. In the first shot, we have a basic brick home with a clean and simple effort. However, the second photo shows the heights one can reach when it comes to the use of various greenery. This was, by no means, a novice effort. Whoever put this together is clearly an expert with years of knowledge and experience combined with a creativity that is undoubtedly next level.

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A cooperative effort

Many years ago, small towns came up with the idea of creating these mailbox size sharing spaces for books. The thought process was that, as a way to demonstrate selflessness, and an effort to share knowledge, the locals would drop books off for others to read. They can then grab up a book from the space in return, and so on, and so on. This now has expanded to those with green thumbs. Simply drop off some extra seeds you aren’t using, and feel free to also take from the kitty for your own landscaping purposes.

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One proud homeowner

Image source: Reddit.com/-LargeHardOnCollider

This may be one of the more “complete” gardens on the list. This gentleman has a wide variety of flowers, plants, and herbs, as well as a very nice greenhouse to help keep things hydrated. He also has an comfy set of chairs and a table providing him a place to relax and enjoy his handywork. And he even has a smoker for the times he’s looking to barbeque with friends and family. In the end, he was able to design and construct a very useful backyard garden and hangout with what appears to be a fairly limited space.

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Quite the transformation

This is quite the transformation! The owners of this property have clearly neglected their back yard for some time. The grass was reduced to dirt and weeds. The one time ivy that covered the walls deteriorated to nothing but dry roots. And any remaining greenery was reduced to an overgrown brown mess. With all of that said, the recovery is nothing short of spectacular, with the clean walls, lush green grass, trimmed hedges, and a laid back patio complete with relaxing chairs and a table for drinks.

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Clever drainage system

This homeowner was sick of the flooded grass he would get from the overflow of his rooftop drainage, so he decided to do something about it in one of the more clever ways possible. He built a planter that sits at the end of the drainage pipe where the water is then collected into a trough. And from that trough, the water then makes its way to irrigate the many plants and herbs he has set up in the planter. Talk about a way to kill two birds with one stone!

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Get rid of the boring

Image source: Reddit.com/Creepercraft110

Okay, the first picture is not really all that bad. We have a very large, and nicely manicured lawn in front of a run of the mill, single story house right out of the show Ozzie and Harriet. There are no plants nor flowers, and then entire scene is lacking in any soul. Compare that with the second photo which appears to be not a lawn at all, but rather a miniature farm on the street, complete with plants, flowers, and what appears to be a wide array of vegetables and fruits. Even though the scene does seem to be overdone, the homeowner still managed to set it up in a very clean and organized manner.

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Geometry for landscapers

This is an interesting way to make use of those extra cinder blocks you’ve got laying in the corner of the backyard. It’s a simple process that only requires a bit of soil, some flowers, 15 or so cinder blocks, and a little bit of creativity. Before you begin filling the blocks with soil, you should experiment with a few different layouts to see what might work best for you. Once you’ve found the design you like best, simply begin the process, layer by layer. Stack up the first layer, fill in the soil and plant the plants, and continue on until you arrive at your completed perfection.

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The hipster greenhouse

It is always a cool thing to have your own greenhouse, a special place for your plants and flowers to grow unincumbered as you bath them in love and care. The proprietors of this particular community garden decided to take their greenhouse up a notch by constructing it out of stained glass. And of course, it’s no surprise that this stained glass greenhouse is located in the overly gentrified, hipster neighborhood of Williamsburg Brooklyn. While it’s always cool to knock on hipsters, they do come up with some cool ideas from time to time.

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Nicely done!

This set up is beautiful in its simplicity, and quite possibly one of the cleanest efforts on this list. This homeowner was able to take just a few types of rocks, complimented with a handful of different succulents to create a wonderful and inviting seating area. This is especially interesting as it appears he made use of cedarwood in the project, bringing with it not only a fresh and colorful vibe, but a definite conversation piece for guests during their evening hang on the back patio.

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It’s always sunny

There are not many flowers that can stand up to the rigors of blinding heat better than the aptly named sunflower. While this durable flower in known to thrive in temperatures around the mid 70’s, it can also take on the hotter climates, making it a versatile flower to have in your garden. And this owner was able to compliment his collection of the golden beauties with a wide variety of other offerings, making his back yard a plethora of vibrant colors.

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Taking a stand

Bees are recognized as the world’s pollinators, but, as a species, they are running into trouble in the form of the pesticides used in many a garden. It’s said that beekeepers who care for these little bundles of energy are losing as much as 40 percent of their bee colonies each year do to an over-reliance on the use of pesticides. Well, this homeowner is having none of this. She would rather deal with an overgrowth of weeds in her garden just so that the local bees can get in there and do what they do best, pollinate.

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Make your neighbors jealous

C’mon now, everyone in the neighborhood has that very generic, bland and boring front lawn. Why not change things up with an ingenious plan to both direct excessive rain water, while at the same time, creating something unique and interesting for your front lawn. I can see this being a big hit if you live in the North Western part of the United States where it rains roughly 10 months out of the year. The only issue you may face is the occasional “side eye” you may receive from your surrounding neighbors who are jealous of your creation.

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You do what you can, where you can

This gentleman had limited opportunity. Living in an apartment building in the middle of a city, he was without the expansive backyard that many require to ply their green thumb, but he refused to let that keep him from getting it done. With some old metal cans, a bit of soil, and some rooftop space, this guy was able to create a garden that would help provide him and his family the food that they need. And he did so at as minimal a cost as possible.

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The pineapple top

This young couple had bought a pineapple at their local market, and diced it up to make a salad. In doing so, they chopped off the top and were about to throw it away when they began to wonder if they could grow their own. They found that, if they placed the top on a soil mix, they would have themselves a homegrown fruit. Unfortunately, they would have to be patient as these yummy treats take two to three years to grow, but good things come to those who wait. In the end, their patience paid off and they were rewarded with a beautiful and tasty pineapple.

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Ah, the coziness

Now one can argue that, in the first photo, this homeowner had already created an interesting backyard to hang in. He’s got some nice, plush grass surrounded by what looks to be healthy soil, ripe for planting a few flowers and maybe a bush or two. But he just couldn’t be satisfied with that. Instead, he took things to a whole new level, creating an environment that is both warm and cozy, with the bushes almost hugging the furniture in a way that will make the person feel a sense of comfort and security.

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Gotta support those melons

The clever gardener found a way to support a different type of “melon.” Tired of watching her melons fall to the ground from the sheer weight, she decided to use a method of support that had proven very valuable to her over the years. Knowing that, with the use of her personal support garment, the “melons” in her garden would receive all the support they need. And of course, this method is a hilarious conversation starter at her garden parties.

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Ah, the Japanese influence is strong with this one

Images source: Reddit.com/fluffycatbelly1

The Japanese are known for many things; they are a culture of honor, hard work, and the constant striving for perfection. And the owner of this garden has achieved just that, sheer perfection. From the wide variety of trees, flowers, and bushes, to the tiny bridge crossing the coy pond, to the water cascading over the rocks, this is arguable the most interesting, and perhaps the most beautiful garden on this, or any other list. The hours alone to design, construct, and maintain this masterpiece demonstrate the character of a true visionary.

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Now that’s different

Say what you like about Seattle, but the people there can get creative. One enterprising individual found a way to combine the water run off piping from the rooftop with his green thumb, and he has come up with quite the conversation piece. The beauty of this design is that, even though one might think the pipes would become obstructed with soil from the plants, they are off to the side, leaving an unobstructed waterway for the H2O to flow freely. The end result is an interesting design that serves the practical needs of the building in a very green way.

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Yet another top notch effort!

In creating this list of garden designs, I continuously find myself in amazement at just how creative and clever these homeowners can get, and this is yet another example of the possibility of the human spirit. The pathway of stepping stones has made for a wonderful centerpiece from which to build around, and the ingenious homeowner made sure not to waste an inch of the of the land plot, filling it in nicely with an array of beautiful plants, colorful flowers, and classic bushes. The end result has taken the area from being a bland, open plot of dirt to an expansive masterpiece.

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Style and class

Image source: Reddit.com/Where_Lions_Roam

This homeowner found a way to create a garden that espouses a colorful creativity. And while there are some other gardens on this list that are just as interesting to take in, what separates this work is the section of plants floating from the overhangs in the corner. Additionally, the crisscross walking path makes for a bit of a different design element, and I especially like the chairs and table in the forefront of the photo, which would be the perfect spot to relax with a cup of coffee and a cigar on a Sunday morning.

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Everyone has a generic backyard, why not be different?

The kids are all grown, and you really do not have much use for your large backyard; why not turn it into something special? Well, that’s exactly what this enterprising homeowner did. With a little bit of carpentry and a grand imagination, he took what was once a very boring, generic backyard, and transformed it into an almost tourist attraction, complete with flowers, herbs, and even ivy clinging effortlessly along the mesh fencing. All it takes is a bit of carpentry combined with a dash of creativity, and you’ll be off to the races with the most impressive backyard in the neighborhood!

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