Ready to make a little budget-friendly garden magic? Creating a upcycled container garden from everyday objects is easy with just a bit of imagination. Here are our favorite 9 everyday objects that can replace your clay garden pots for a charming, whimsical, and personal garden.
The Little Red Wagon
My children’s red wood wagon was well loved. But after the kids had grown and flown, it was able to live a “second life” as a mobile container for pots overflowing with colorful impatiens. Best way to use yours? Corral a collection of mismatched pots that become unified through their flowers. Bonus: Because this is so easily moved, it makes an ideal container for any plants that require partial sun and some shade.
Give it the Boot!
Snow boots, riding boots, rainboots, or ski boots all make charming containers for plants. When planting, remember to weigh them down with drainage gravel or rocks. Also, drill drainage holes to prevent root rot. This idea is best for plants with shallow roots. And, since boots are relatively small, plants may require additional water in warm climates. Boots look oh-so-cheeky placed on a front step by the door or in combination with more traditional pots.
I’m a Little Teapot…
If you have a teapot that has a broken or misplaced lid, this can make a lovely, colorful addition to the garden. Drill drainage holes and fill with your favorite small flowers. A teapot looks especially charming with some droopy foliage or trailing vines. Perfect for a small deck or patio.
Old Metal Cooler
Bonus points if you have one with advertising messages (Hamm’s Beer, Coca Cola, etc.) displayed on the sides! These need not be in perfect condition – in fact, a bit of chippy paint just adds to the vintage charm. Since these coolers are usually quite large (both the carry strap type or a cooler on legs) they can accommodate a wide variety of flowers. Since there’s a lot of “real estate” don’t forget the rule for container gardening… fill (bushy flowers), thrill (a tall element), and spill (trailing vines).
Grass Seed Spreader or Wheel Barrow
Leave with original paint or spray paint to coordinate with your garden theme. A old seed spreader (I’ve had one languishing in my garage for years) or a wheelbarrow make rustic statement pieces in a flower border. Line with drainage stones and let you imagination run wild.
Little Tikes® Cozy Coupe
Still have one hanging around, even though your kids are now in high school? No modifications needed! Simply repurpose this classic simply by placing flower pots in the driver’s seat!
Toolbox or Fishing Tackle Box
I’ve inherited several of these and frankly, while they are basically indestructible, they are far too heavy when filled with tools (and I don’t fish). Filling a one of these boxes with flowers is a sweet way to dress up a deck. And because of their shape, they look especially good contrasted against simple pots. Depending on the size of your tool or tackle box, you may need to water often. (Cute tip: “Plant” a large, unused wrench or part of a broken fishing pole to tie up a taller plant or hold a plant marker.)
Metal Feed Buckets
Anyone who’s been around horses for a bit knows that some grain rattled in the bottom of a metal feed bucket is like a siren call for a stubborn pony who refuses to come in from the field. But those buckets don’t last forever. Repurpose them filled with bright petunias or geraniums and place outside your barn doors. (You can also hot glue some together, bottom to bottom, to create height).
It’s for the Birds…
If you have a bird bath that you forget to fill or simply grows algae, turn it into a planter instead. Bird baths are shallow, so shallow rooted choices are best. Succulents are a great choice as are extremely hard plants like vinca vine, which will trail down the sides of the bird bath and provide a romantic vibe.
A few notes about containers… I’ve seen loads of adorable ideas for very small pots – from tea cups to metal ice cube trays. For me, the amount of watering needed to keep those plants alive outdoors is just too much effort. So, my ideas for containers are all on the larger side. However, if you are dedicated, small containers outside can be oh-so-charming on a deck railing, side table, or window ledge. A few examples include:
- Vintage tins
- Metal colanders
- Ceramic mixing bowls
- Mugs or handed soup bowls
- Ice buckets or Champagne coolers
- Light fixtures (replace candles with bowls)
- Watering cans
- Dump trucks, Barbie cars, and other toys
And remember, container gardening isn’t just for showy spring and summer flowers! In the fall, fill your favorite containers fall flowers such as mums, potted cabbages, tall grasses, and even pumpkins or gourds.
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