Got empty wine bottles piling up? Good. Don’t toss them—turn them into something useful. With a little creativity and elbow grease, those bottles can become a colorful, functional edge for your garden beds. This isn’t just about saving money (though you will). It’s about turning trash into something that looks good and lasts. Here’s how to reuse wine bottles as garden borders—no fancy tools or skills needed.
1. Collect Your Bottles (And Clean Them Up)
You’ll need a decent number of bottles—think 20 to 40, depending on the size of your garden border. Ask friends to save theirs, hit up local bars or restaurants, or just keep emptying them yourself. Once you’ve got a stash, remove the labels. Soak them in hot water with baking soda for about 30 minutes. The paper should peel right off. Use a scrubber if it doesn’t.
2. Pick Your Layout
Most people bury the bottles upside down—neck in the ground, base sticking up. It’s the easiest and most stable method, and the rounded bottoms catch light in a way that makes your garden really stand out. You can line them up in a straight row, stagger them for a brick-like look, or curve them around beds for a more organic shape.
3. Dig a Trench
Mark out your border and dig a shallow trench—just deep enough to bury about a third of the bottle. Use a shovel or trowel, and make sure the bottom of the trench is flat so your bottles sit evenly. If you’re doing a longer border, work in sections.
4. Set the Bottles in Place
Place each bottle upside down in the trench, pressing the neck into the soil. Space them close together—no big gaps. Use a level or just eyeball it to keep the tops fairly even. Once all the bottles are in place, backfill the trench with dirt and press it down firmly around each neck to hold them in place.
5. Optional Touches
Want to go the extra mile? Add a string of solar lights behind the bottles to make them glow at night. Or paint the bottles for a pop of color. Just use outdoor-grade paint or glass markers.
Reusing wine bottles as garden borders is one of those rare projects that checks all the boxes: cheap, easy, eco-friendly, and actually looks good. It’s a solid way to give your garden a little edge—literally. So next time you crack open a bottle, remember: it’s not just what’s inside that counts.