10 Tools You Can 3D Print for Your Garden

3D Gardening
©. Ramon Gonzalez

© Ramon Gonzalez

Recently, Lloyd Alter wrote about 3D printing peaking in popularity. At the same time the Obama administration announced plans for a public-private partnership to support the technology.

Can we be too far off from affordable 3D printers in every home? I hope we’re getting there, because the confluence of 3D printing and gardening has potential to alter the way we buy and consume hard garden goods.

While the technology is still relatively new, you can see the potential as designers 3D print their own garden tools to solve problems, print replacement parts, and just get creative. The best part of this is that the designers are making their files and designs available for download free of charge.

All of these items are available for free download at Thingiverse.

1. Birdhouse

3D Printable Birdhouse

© Samuel Bernier

Upcycle a tin can into a birdhouse for your garden.

2. Plant Pot

3D Printable Pot

© Robosonia

A cute little plant pot that can be customized with the name of your little green thumb gardener.

3. Fence Post Cap

3D printable fence post cap

© Schoppepetzer

Need a replacement cap for your fence post cap?

4. Trellis Hooks

3D Printable Trellis Hooks

© Alex English

5. Hand Rake

3D Printable Hand Rake

© tlalexander

Print this adorable hand rake for your container garden, or a little green thumb gardener.

6. Slug Trap

3D Printable Slug Trap

© Alex English

Alex English's beautiful slug trap. Read about why this trap is a better slug trap here at TreeHugger.

7. Valve Handle

3D Printable Garden Valve

© Geir

This handsome valve can be adapted to fit any manner of valve.

8. Watering Spout

3D Printable Water Spout

© arkatipe

Upcycle a 2 liter soda bottle into a water canning to water your seedlings and plants.

9. Seed Spacer

3D Printable Seed Spacers

© Alex English

Another beautiful 3D printable garden tool from Alex English. These seed spacers help you measure out where to sow your seeds for an intensive planting method that yields more crops per square foot.

10. Question Mark Planter

3D printable planter

© ecken

I'm going to have to 3D print this question block planter for my nephew who is a big Super Mario Brothers fan.

Use the files linked with a service like Shapeways, Ponoko, and others. If you live in a large metropolitan area contact your local hackerspace, or university about the availability of public use of 3D printers.