The Genius DIY That Transforms An Old Garden Hose Into A New Outdoor Staple

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Gardeners understand the importance of caring for Mother Nature, so if they can be eco-friendly by reusing something, they are all over it. A rusted patio fire pit can be restored or used as storage. Even a used swimming pool can be turned into an upcycled project. In doing so, you get to be creative, and you're giving trash a new life. 

The next time you're getting rid of a garden hose, don't toss it just yet. Turn your old garden hose into a DIY outdoor storage bucket or basket, like this one by Your Home Value Experts on YouTube. All it takes is about an hour of your time, an old hose, scissors or wire cutters, and a bag of zip ties. What makes this basket ideal for your garden is that it's constructed from material that's designed to be used outdoors. 

Store pool toys, balls, and other outdoor recreational equipment used by kids or pets in this container. If the toys are dirty, you can even spray them down while they're in the basket. Cleaning the container also is a cinch. Just hose it off (with another watering hose!) if it gets dusty or muddy, and let it air dry.

A tight initial coil is essential to having a solid base. First, bend the faucet attachment into the hose, and secure with a zip tie. Start coiling the rest around it, using zip ties as necessary. After the basket is the width you want it it work upwards to create the sides of the bucket. The zip ties should be attached per two rows — the previous one plus the newest row. Finish by forming the last part of the hose into a handle. If you prefer small side handles as opposed to a single tall handle, create two loops on opposite sides as you're working on the last row. 

Then, go ahead and add your gardening tools and supplies to your new garden basket or bucket. Metal landscaping tools like shears, forks, and weeders need to be stored in covered, dry areas to prevent rusting or splitting, but items like gloves, knee pads, or small watering cans can be thrown into this hose-turned-basket as long as it's kept under a covered area. 

Another yard option is to use this as a quirky planter to house a plant in a plastic grow pot. Water your plant and let the water drain through the seams of your DIY project. You can also use the basket when harvesting vegetables or weeding your yard. If the garden hose look isn't your aesthetic, give the basket a makeover with water-resistant paint like FolkArt Coast texture paint, which comes in a variety of colors and textures. Regardless, you'll have successfully upcycled that old water hose.