“Old bucket? Don’t throw it — cut it.” 🪣⚙️ This 10-minute garden hack turns rusty junk into a tool every gardener will want. The photo of the final result is in the article below 👇
This is a really handy tip, especially for those who live in a private house or own a small piece of land or garden. Sadly, fewer and fewer people have summer cottages these days — many of them sit empty or are sold for next to nothing. But let’s not get off track. Today, I’ll show you how to turn an old rusty-bottomed bucket into something genuinely useful.
The whole project takes just 10–15 minutes — as long as you have the tools ready. Luckily, you won’t need many. I’ll walk you through each step and explain what this bucket can be used for.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Start by cutting off the bottom of the bucket. You can do this with a hacksaw, but a grinder (angle grinder) works best.
Next, you’ll need a piece of mesh — ideally, metal mesh.
Trace the shape of the bucket onto the mesh so you can cut it to size.
If you don’t have mesh, strong wire can work too. I used steel wire — it’s flexible yet sturdy. It’s the kind often used to tie rebar in construction.
Now, drill a few holes around the bottom edge of the bucket and attach the mesh using wire. Here’s a tip: it’s better to make the holes before you cut off the bottom — that way the bucket stays firm and doesn’t wobble while you work.
The Result
That’s it! Your DIY garden tool is ready to use. You can now walk around your yard collecting weeds or plant clippings — the soil will fall through the mesh, and only the green waste stays inside, saving space.
It’s a simple but very practical solution. And of course, you can use it for more than just weeds — gardeners will know how many ways this can come in handy.
