• slide
  • slide
  • slide
  • slide
  • slide
  • slide
  • slide
  • slide

Plastic Lumber for the Landscape

While “milk does a body good,” its’ recycled cartons can also do some good in the garden. 

Consider using all plastic lumber, wood/plastic composite or fiber-reinforced plastic lumber for your garden construction projects.  Plastic lumber is constructed from 100% recycled plastic and is often used for docks and decks. 

Wood/plastic composites are usually made from 50% recycled plastic and 50% sawdust or other recycled fiber and often made with a wood-grain texture.  Fiber reinforced is a mix of plastic and chopped or strands of glass fiber.  This is the most expensive, but the strongest of the three. 

All three come in a variety of colors, sizes similar to standard lumber, and never need staining.

And consider giving milk jugs a second life before recycling. Use them to make a hands-free harvest basket, cloche or soil scoop.

A bit more information: Use a milk jug to make a hands-free harvest basket to use when picking raspberries and strawberries. Enlarge the opening at the top, but leave the handle intact. Secure the milk jug around your waist by running a rope or belt through the handle. Now you have two hands free for harvesting and a safe place for your harvest.

Upcoming
Events & Webinars

Mar. 18, 2026
FREE WEBINAR:
Patio, Deck and Balcony Gardens

Register here

March 21 & 28, 2026
REALTORS Home & Garden Show
West Allis, WI
More information

March 24, 2026
SC Johnson Golden Rondelle Theater
Community Program

Racine, WI
More information

March 26, 2026
FREE WEBINAR: 
Getting Started Growing Vegetable and Flower Gardens
Register here

April 1, 2026
FREE WEBINAR: 
Growing a Bountiful Harvest 
Register here

April 9, 2026
FREE WEBINAR:
7 Steps to Managing Water on Your Property

Register here

April 11, 2026
A Day in the Garden
Fond du Lac, WI
Register here

April 18, 2026
3rd Annual Spring Rally
Oshkosh, WI
Register here

April 19, 2026
Ebert's Greenhouse Village
Ixonia, WI

April 23, 2026
Iowa State University
More information

April 25, 2026
Pasquesi Home & Gardens
Lake Bluff, IL

April 26, 2026
Ebert's Greenhouse Village
Ixonia, WI

May 2, 2026
Ebert's Greenhouse Village
Ixonia, WI

May 6, 2026
FREE WEBINAR: 
Adding Native Plants
to Any Size Gardening Space

Register here

May 7, 2026
Wauwatosa Public Library
Wauwatosa, WI

May 9, 2026
Ebert's Greenhouse Village
Ixonia, WI

May 10, 2026
Ebert's Greenhouse Village
Ixonia, WI

May 13, 2026
Roots & Branches
West Bend, WI
Register here

May 16, 2026
Ebert's Greenhouse Village
Ixonia, WI

May 17, 2026
Ebert's Greenhouse Village
Ixonia, WI

May 21, 2026
FREE WEBINAR: 
Planting & Care of Your Rain Garden
Register here

June 3, 2026
FREE WEBINAR: 
Managing Your Landscape
with Pollinators in Mind

Register here

Sept. 3, 2026
FREE WEBINAR: 
Tree Planting and Care
Register here

Sept. 12, 2026
Knowledge in Bloom Conference
Milwaukee, WI
Register here

Sept. 17, 2026
FREE WEBINAR:
Fall Landscape Care and Planting

Register here

WATCH ON-DEMAND WEBINARS

Learn More

Book an Appearance

Learn More

Sign up for Melinda's free  e-newsletter for a chance to win a Birds & Blooms' Ultimate Gardening Guide!

ENTER NOW