Every gardener knows the superstition that seeing a ladybug will bring good luck. It is hardly surprising that these beautiful creatures are so welcome in the landscape: one ladybug will eat thousands of bugs that harm vegetables and flowers. Their stylish coats- bright red wings with distinctive black dots- charm both young and old alike. You don’t have to rely on Mother Nature to supply you with a ladybug encounter. Why not make a whimsical ladybug planter to bring good luck into your garden? Try your hand at this Pinterest inspired Ladybug Planter and show off your playful spirit!
Materials
Two old tires, one smaller than the other*
Plastic salad bowl for the head
Fire engine red spray paint
Black spray paint
Black paint
Small brush
Two yellow fly swatters or other color painted yellow or gold
Four washers
Two 3-inch screws
Five small screws
Piece of wood, about 12” long
Paint for the face, brushes
Planting mix
Flowers
*You can get old tires for free from a tire store.
Directions
Let’s get started.
First, make the body:
Wash each tire well and let dry. Spray paint both tires fire engine red. You do not have to spray the bottoms of the tires. When the red paint has dried, use black paint to paint dots or hearts in a ladybug pattern on both tires. Be creative! Let it dry.
Now, the head:
Cut off ¼ of the salad bowl so that ¾ of it remains. Spray paint the larger piece black and let it dry. That was easy!
She’ll need to hear, won’t she? Make the antennae:
Find the placement of the antennae on the large tire. Test the location by holding the antennae and salad bowl head in place. When you are satisfied with the location, mark the place where the antennae will be attached on the larger tire.
Drill holes through the tire where you marked.
Place the wood piece on the inside of the tire behind the holes. Mark the spots where the holes on the tire line up. Then, place the wood flat on the work space again and drill holes for the screws into the wood piece where marked. Sandwich the handle of each fly swatter between two washers. Place the wood on the inside of the tire again and align the holes.
Using a 3-inch screw, mount each fly-swatter antennae through the holes in the bottom tire and into the piece of wood.
You’re getting there!
Attach the head with the cut side down to the tire using five smaller screws even placed along the edge of the bowl. Spray paint the smaller screws along the head black so they don’t show.
Give your creation some personality:
Paint sparkly eyes and a welcoming smile on the face of your ladybug. Isn’t she pretty?
Barbara’s daughter, Michelle, putting on the finishing touches.
Brighten your garden:
Place your ladybug in the garden where she’ll bring cheer and scare away pests. Stack the smaller tire on top. Fill with planting mix and your favorite flowers. You can also insert a planter, or fill the inside of the tires with other material to reduce the amount planting mix needed.
Now, relax and enjoy your ladybug and all of the delight and good luck she brings.
Barbara Lee has worked part time at LA’s famous bowling alley, PINZ, for many years. She enjoys adventure and travel and loves helping people, especially our precious senior citizens and kids. She loves to create things that are easy to do and likes adding her own special touches to make them her own. Barbara has two adult children and a husband of 37 years!
Lesley Stevens says
August 24, 2014 at 5:45 pmNow that is something I could totally see in my yard, I love ladybugs.
LifeAsAConvert says
August 24, 2014 at 5:48 pmThat is cute. My kids would love to help make that.
Robin (Masshole Mommy) says
August 24, 2014 at 5:57 pmThat is the cutest thing ever! I don’t have a garden, but I know for a fact that my mom would love this in hers!
Rosey says
August 24, 2014 at 6:05 pmWell, I guess I won’t be irked anymore when we get a huge influx of lady bugs come warm weather. 😉 I had no idea they ate other bugs,lol
Your ladybug turned out cute. 🙂
Ann@IW says
August 24, 2014 at 6:09 pmAdorable!
paula schuck says
August 24, 2014 at 6:29 pmThat is really cute! My kids would totally be thrilled to be involved in making something like that.
Melanie S. says
August 24, 2014 at 6:56 pmThat is fabulous and fun. My kids would absolutely love it, and it look easy enough that I might actually be able to do it. 🙂
amanda ripsam says
August 24, 2014 at 7:13 pmI have a friend that makes all kinds of rocks and planters and things for gardens I’ll have to show her this. I think it’s cute
Liz Mays says
August 25, 2014 at 5:15 amI love how that came out. It definitely would cheer up a garden!
Jennifer Wiliams says
August 25, 2014 at 5:39 amI love up cycling projects and that is so clever. Who would have thought that two used tires could turn into something so cute.
Kristen from The Road to Domestication says
August 25, 2014 at 7:27 amOkay, I’ve seen people do gardening projects with tires, but this is the cutest one yet!!!
Sarah Bailey says
August 25, 2014 at 8:13 amOh that is so cute I love it! I really need to make some bits like this for around my garden 🙂 x
April says
August 25, 2014 at 8:37 amToo cute! I think it’ll bring a lot of character to the yard.
Denise Gabbard says
August 25, 2014 at 9:03 amThis is SO adorable… if I was creative enough to think to do something like this, I would not have tossed those old tires. I want one of these 🙂
Terry says
August 25, 2014 at 10:18 amIt is really hard to get rid of old tires anymore. This is such a cute idea to recycle them. My Hubs takes all our old tires to his buddy who has an auto repair shop and he gets rid of them for us.
Chrissy says
August 25, 2014 at 10:28 amThis is so adorably cute! I really want to make one now, thanks!
coolchillmom says
August 25, 2014 at 10:56 amthis is adorable! love how you are upcycling the tires! perfect for our garden, thanks for the idea
Heather says
August 25, 2014 at 11:28 amThis is the cutest thing I think I’ve ever seen! I love decorating the garden with objects.
Rena McDaniel-The Diary of an Alzheimer's Caregiver says
August 25, 2014 at 11:33 amWhat a neat idea! I have to make this for my flower garden. I had some extra tires for an idea I got on Pinterest that fizzled (don’t try to grow potatoes in them, it just doesn’t work). My husband has been complaining about the tires now I know what I am going to do with them. Four the perfect number for two ladybugs! Thanks for sharing!
Alice Chase says
August 25, 2014 at 12:00 pmthis is totally adorable! We are leasing now and I cant do much in the way of gardening but this is so cute I will remember it for when I can.
Lois Alter Mark says
August 25, 2014 at 2:12 pmAdorable and so funny because we’ve had a ladybug in our house for the past 2 days and she’s so cute, I don’t want her to leave!
Krystal says
August 25, 2014 at 2:21 pmThat is such an awesome idea! I could totally see that in my garden! 😉
Nolie says
August 25, 2014 at 2:38 pmHow adorable is that. Easy to make as well.
Tami says
August 25, 2014 at 3:56 pmThis is so cute. My aunt would love this in her garden. She loves ladybugs. 🙂
Tough Cookie Mommy says
August 25, 2014 at 4:42 pmWhat a beautiful planter. It makes a big difference when you decorate your garden with beautiful pieces like this one.
Jeanine @ sixtimemommy.com says
August 25, 2014 at 4:53 pmOh my goodness how cute is this! That’s so creative, and really adorable!
Theresa says
August 25, 2014 at 6:52 pmWhat a great way to upcycle some old tires! Those ladybugs are super cute!
Ben - Gentlebim says
August 26, 2014 at 12:12 amThat’s so cool. I love yard art like this.
Ronnie says
August 26, 2014 at 1:19 amVery creative!! I love that you put hearts instead of circles. 🙂
Carmen Perez says
August 26, 2014 at 5:52 amI LOVE ladybugs! Wow, I love this project, it’s adorable. You are very creative!
Melissa Smith says
August 26, 2014 at 7:24 amOh my gosh that is adorably cute! I may have to try this since I’m pretty sure we have some old tires in the garage. 🙂
Chene @Prototype Mama says
August 26, 2014 at 10:59 amWhat a cute idea! My little M loves ladybugs and would love to have something like this in our front yard!
Regina says
August 26, 2014 at 11:25 amCute. I love yard art.
Nikki Harvey says
August 26, 2014 at 1:13 pmI’ve seen a lot of cute tire crafts. I didn’t know you could get old tires from a tire store though. I wonder if I could make a cute photo prop with old tires?
Amber NElson says
August 26, 2014 at 4:58 pmWhat a great idea. It looks great. I love it!
Elayna Fernandez ~ The Positive MOM says
August 26, 2014 at 5:23 pmThat is a super cute DIY. Tires are hard to dispose of.
Melissa says
August 26, 2014 at 6:00 pmI seriously just put 5 old tires to the curb!! I am screaming at my hubby to go get them now!! Too cute!
Jen - Life With Levi says
August 26, 2014 at 8:15 pmYour ladybug is totally adorable! I love that you upcycled old tires to make it.
Aisha Kristine Chong says
August 26, 2014 at 11:13 pmMy gosh that is just so lovely and adorable!
amanda @attachedmoms says
August 27, 2014 at 4:03 amThis is absolutely adorable. If we get a home soon (not aneed apartment) I am all over this!
Le-an Lai Angeles Lacaba says
August 27, 2014 at 5:34 pmThis looks so cute! I love how it really goes with your garden.
Marnie G (Derrick Todd) says
July 28, 2015 at 8:38 pmI absolutely LOVE this idea. What a great way to repurpose old tires.
Kat says
July 30, 2015 at 3:24 amOh my gosh! I have to make this! Ladybugs remind me of my father. who passed away almost 12 years ago. Thank you for this!
Melissa Storms says
May 29, 2016 at 5:40 pmI see a lot of recycled tire planters around my area but this is the cutest idea yet.
Laura says
June 6, 2016 at 6:32 pmThat is so cute! It’s very creative. Love it!
Kaycee @ My Crafty Zoo says
June 15, 2016 at 9:43 amWhat an adorable piece of hand made yard art! Love it! Hoping to make some cool stuff like this one day!