12 Beautiful Ways to Use Cedar in Your Garden or Yard

Gardening Inspiration
By Jasmine Hughes

Cedar, with its aromatic scent and durable nature, offers versatile applications for your garden or yard.

Its natural resistance to decay and insects makes it a perfect choice for outdoor projects. Let’s explore twelve beautiful ways to incorporate cedar into your outdoor spaces.

1. Cedar Outdoor Furniture

© Cabinfield

Cedar outdoor furniture brings comfort and style to your garden space. Known for its durability, cedar can withstand various weather conditions while maintaining its attractiveness. Cedar’s natural oils repel insects, ensuring a longer lifespan for your furniture.

The rich, reddish tones of cedar furniture add warmth to your outdoor decor. Whether it’s a dining set or a cozy bench, cedar pieces make for inviting spots to relax or entertain guests.

Regular maintenance like sealing can help preserve the wood’s beauty and integrity over time.

2. Cedar Garden Sheds

© Better Shopping USA

A cedar garden shed offers a practical and attractive storage solution for tools and equipment. The resilience of cedar to rot and pests makes it a preferred material for outdoor structures. Such sheds blend seamlessly with natural surroundings, adding aesthetic value.

Cedar’s pleasant aroma and warm hues create a welcoming ambiance. Customize your shed with windows or shelving to suit your storage needs.

Ensuring proper ventilation and treating the wood helps maintain its condition, providing a durable and long-lasting garden feature.

3. Cedar Raised Garden Beds

© Eartheasy.com

Cedar raised garden beds bring both functionality and beauty to your garden. The natural resistance of cedar to rot and insects makes it an excellent choice for constructing durable beds. These beds provide an ideal growing environment for vegetables and herbs.

With its warm color and pleasant aroma, cedar enhances the aesthetic appeal of your garden. The raised design helps improve drainage and access, making gardening more enjoyable and accessible.

Consider positioning your beds in a sunny spot to maximize plant growth and produce a bountiful harvest. Cedar beds are a sustainable option that can last for many years.

4. Cedar Garden Pathways

© Plow & Hearth

Creating pathways in your garden with cedar wood combines practicality with elegance. Cedar’s natural oils protect against moisture and decay, making it an ideal material for walkways. These pathways can guide visitors through your garden, offering a pleasant stroll.

The warm tones of cedar complement the greens and blooms in any garden setting. Laying cedar planks or chips as a path can prevent soil erosion and reduce mud in rainy seasons.

Choose a design that suits your garden style, whether it’s a winding path or a structured walkway.

5. Cedar Compost Bins

© Fifthroom.com

Cedar compost bins offer an eco-friendly way to manage garden waste and create rich soil. Cedar’s natural properties resist rot and pests, making it an ideal material for composting. These bins can be an attractive addition to your garden space.

The structure allows for proper aeration and moisture control, essential for effective composting. Customize the size and design to fit your yard’s needs. Regularly turning the compost aids in decomposition, turning waste into nutrient-rich soil that benefits your plants.

6. Cedar Trellises

© Amazon.com

Cedar trellises provide support for climbing plants while enhancing vertical appeal in your garden. The strength and durability of cedar make it a top choice for trellis construction. These structures can transform a plain garden into a vibrant, lush haven.

Cedar’s natural beauty blends well with foliage and flowers, creating an inviting garden feature. Position trellises strategically to provide plant support and add privacy.

Over time, the trellis becomes an integral part of the garden’s landscape, intertwining with climbers like roses or clematis.

7. Cedar Fencing

© Sky Fence Company

Cedar fencing offers privacy, security, and aesthetic appeal. Its natural oils and resistance to insect damage make cedar an excellent choice for fencing. Cedar fences provide a warm, inviting look that complements various garden styles.

Whether you need a full enclosure or decorative panels, cedar can be customized to fit your needs. The wood weathers to a beautiful gray patina, maintaining its charm over time.

Regular maintenance, such as staining or sealing, helps preserve the fence’s condition and enhance its longevity.

8. Cedar Mulch

© Running Brook Farms

Cedar mulch is a practical and attractive option for garden maintenance. The natural oils in cedar make it resistant to decay and insects, offering long-lasting protection for your plants. Cedar mulch helps retain moisture and suppress weeds, making garden care more manageable.

The mulch’s rich color and pleasant aroma add to the landscape’s visual appeal. Spread it evenly in your garden beds to create a neat, cared-for look.

Cedar mulch can improve soil health by slowly releasing nutrients as it breaks down, benefiting your plants over time.

9. Cedar Birdhouses

© Fifthroom.com

Cedar birdhouses attract various bird species to your garden while providing them with a safe nesting place. Cedar’s durability and natural resistance to rot make it an ideal material for birdhouses. These charming structures can enhance the visual appeal of your garden.

Place birdhouses in sheltered spots to protect them from harsh weather. The aroma of cedar also deters pests like termites, ensuring a long-lasting home for birds.

Observing the birds that visit can be a delightful and rewarding experience for any garden enthusiast.

10. Cedar Tree Stumps

© Etsy

Repurpose cedar tree stumps as unique garden features or seating. The natural beauty and ruggedness of cedar stumps add rustic charm to your garden. Use them as casual seating areas or decorative elements to enhance your outdoor space.

Cedar’s resistance to decay ensures these stumps remain intact for years. Consider arranging multiple stumps to create a cozy gathering area.

Their versatility allows for creative uses, such as plant stands or even small tables, blending functionality with aesthetics seamlessly.

11. Cedar Pergolas

© The Home Depot

Cedar pergolas create elegant outdoor living spaces with their natural charm and durability. The rich tones of cedar wood add warmth and sophistication to any garden setting. Pergolas offer shaded areas for relaxation or outdoor dining, enhancing your garden’s usability.

The sturdy structure supports climbing plants, creating a lush canopy over time. Cedar’s resilience against weather conditions ensures your pergola remains a stunning feature for years.

Customize its design to suit your garden’s style, making it a focal point in your outdoor oasis.

12. Cedar Planters

© Eartheasy.com

Cedar planters are a stylish and practical choice for showcasing plants on your patio or in your garden.

Known for their natural resistance to rot and insects, cedar planters ensure long-lasting beauty and functionality. The warm hues of cedar contrast beautifully with the vibrant colors of flowers.

These planters can be customized in size and shape to fit any outdoor area. The wood’s insulating properties help regulate soil temperature, promoting healthy plant growth.

Regularly refreshing the soil and maintaining the wood enhances both the appearance and durability of cedar planters.