Planters and decorative garden ornaments are pricey. I recently came across a list of ingenuous repurposing of household and other containers for the garden. I would like to share it with you. So many of us are feeling the financial pinch of the lockdown. Here’s to show that your garden can be stunning if you repurpose what you have to serve as planters.
From the onset, I want to credit the following magazines and individuals for these creative ideas:
BIRDS & BLOOMS, COUNTRY WOMAN and FARM & RANCH LIVING. The photos were taken by Sue Ferris, Ronald Eller, Claudia Dewane, Dave Logan, Annie De La Hoz, Amber Jackson, Patty Samples, Betsy Harrison and Sunnie Greenwalt.
Rain gutter planters
Do you have one or two lengths of unused rain gutter? Create window boxes or attach them to a fence. You can screw them to the wall, or hang them with ropes or chains. Remember to drill drainage holes. You can even plant a variety of colorful succulents in the gutters.
Hanging cloth shoe rack planters for herbs
How clever is this one? A cloth shoe rack carrying fresh herbs. Choose one that will hold small plastic pots, or plant your herbs in plastic bags. Be creative with the name cards or other methods to identify your herbs. You can move your entire hanging herb garden indoors during the cold winter months.
Make decorative shoe box planters
You can save a whole lot of money and express your creativity by using shoe boxes as planters. In fact, you can use any sturdy cardboard boxes. Line them with plastic — don’t forget to make drainage holes. Use the money you safe to buy plants. Also, make them unique by painting them or cover the boxes with decorative paper, fabric, rope, raffia, ribbons and more.
Repurpose plastic grocery bags
Despite the fact that most of us try to get away from using plastic shopping bags, we all have some of them somewhere in a cupboard. This planter is made from plastic shopping bags to hold a variety of cascading flowers. Use hooks to hang them, or string them up, one below the other. Fill your plastic bags with potting soil and make drainage holes.
Make mobile planters from old wagons
Mobile planters can be moved to catch the sun or be protected from wind and frost. Use your DIY skills to build a wooden frame on top of a wagon. Use it as a focus point in your garden.
Bed frame for a flower bed planter
If you have metal head and footboards saved somewhere from when your kids were smaller, use it to make a striking colorful flower bed — pun intended.
How about that antique chamber pot in the attic?
A porcelain vintage chamber pot is perfect for an indoor plant. It is sure be a conversation piece.
Umbrella focus point
Although this one is not a planter, a bunch of fresh flowers, or even silk flowers arranged in a closed umbrella can be a unique welcome if hung on your front door.
Mug planters for herbs
Has your mug collection become overgrown and troublesome? Make good use of them — repurpose the larger ones for herb planters.
Closet planters
Who would have thought that you can use an old boot and a denim purse as planters? In the same vein, you can use brightly colored rain boots as planters.
Old tire for hanging plants
Use bright paint on old tires, drill a few holes and add potting soil. Plant it with colorful cascading flowers and hang them somewhere to catch the eye.
Fairy garden
If you have a couple of wooden barrels or any other containers you can build a delightful fairy garden. The ideal project to challenge your creativity.
Bright wooden chair to perch your plant
Even for those without creative skills, this option is stunning. Use an old wooden chair to elevate your special pot plant or flowers, all you need to do is apply a fresh coat of paint. The brighter the better!
Vintage light fixture
Another trip to your attic might produce an unused vintage light fixture. Attach small planters where the light bulbs were, apply a coat of paint. If you hang it outside, add a birdhouse or feeder to make it even more charming.
Rustic wheelbarrow planter
Is your old wheelbarrow still taking up valuable space somewhere? Put it to use as a flower bed, and with this one, the older the better! Don’t forget the coat of paint and drainage holes.
Bicycle planters
Make a special space in your garden for a vintage bicycle to hold a basket or two with flowers spilling out of it. A bright coat of paint will make a showstopper of your bountiful bicycle.
To sum up, what I showed you here was to get your creative juices flowing. Sit down with a cup of tea, or whatever, and think about what you have laying around or stored away to repurpose as planters.
