1. Plant Markers

One of the easiest ways to repurpose pieces of broken pots is to create DIY plant markers. All you need to do is glue a piece of the pot onto a popsicle stick or wire, and write the name of whatever plants you're growing that season. Place the markers around your garden to help identify flowers, herbs, fruit, and veggies.

2. Garden Edges

Instead of using bricks, pavers, or stones, make eco-friendly garden edges with large pieces of broken terra-cotta pots. To make decorative garden edges, dig shallow trenches around the perimeters of your garden beds or paths. Lay the broken pieces in a pattern or sporadically for a mosaic look. Fill empty spaces with more soil to ensure the edging is compact.

3. Fairy Gardens

Add a bit of whimsy to your garden by crafting a miniature fairy garden with leftover pieces from broken pots. Use the base of a pot as the foundation for the fairy garden, and fill it with moss, flowers, pebbles, and figurines. You can even use the smaller pieces from the pot to create levels or steps in your makeshift fairy garden.

4. Mosaic Projects

DIY decor isn't just for inside your home. It can spruce up your garden and yard, too. Create mosaic patterns using broken terra-cotta pots along with stones, decorative glass, and tiles.

Make mosaic pavers, stepping stones, or bird baths by covering the surfaces in grout or cement (for a longer-lasting result) and placing the mosaic tiles and stones in a sporadic pattern. Make sure to allow it to dry completely before placing your item outside.

5. Drainage Helpers

Use pieces from pots to help with drainage in your garden containers and raised beds. For containers, place a curved piece over the drainage holes in the bottom of the container. This allows water to drain out while keeping all of the soil in place.

Or, make a layer of pieces at the bottom of larger containers to create air pockets and allow plant roots to breathe. For raised beds, place larger pieces under the soil to help water drain properly and prevent root rot.

6. Mulch

Small pieces from broken garden pots can also serve as mulch in your garden. To turn a broken terra-cotta pot into mulch, break it into smaller, palm-sized fragments with a hammer (remember to wear protective gear like glasses and gloves).

Then, scatter them in and around your garden beds like you would with any other mulch. Place the makeshift mulch around plants to help them retain moisture and prevent pesky weeds. If you don't have enough for your entire garden, add the makeshift mulch to store-bought wood, pebble, or straw mulch.