Recycled Containers
Get creative -
don't always choose a flower pot to plant in
If it holds
dirt, you can plant in it.
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Here is a tub from a old washing machine that is a great planter for nasturtiums this summer. I have seen old sinks, bathtubs and even toilets filled with plants on various gardening shows on television. |
Have you ever
thought what you could do with that old
rubber boot that has a hole in it?
or how about
those cute boots that your children have outgrown?
How about
filling them with dirt and adding a plant or two - it sure will bring
a smile to the guests to your garden.
An old bbq has
been turned into a planter.
Have a look at
the bbq planter
in winter.
Barrel halves,
old or new, make great containers for plants.
You can even
transform them into mini water gardens.
A great place to
put lots of pots of various sizes is in a old child's wagon.
Interesting
pieces of pottery, bowls, tea cups,tea pots, mugs,
bowls etc. found
at garage sales look beautiful with small plants in them.
Old plates
placed under pots act as a catch-all for the water.
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Here is a vinepot I made that is actually the base of an old table fastened on top of a large flower pot. The moring glory plants are filling it all in. Don't forget to collect the morning glory seeds each year so that you have a source for new plants the following year. |
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This is the 'pot' garden at the beginning of July this year. The pots are much bigger than the original 'pot' garden ... gives the plants a chance to grow much bigger. I collect most of the containers from garage sales. Plants include zinnias, cosmos, nasturtiums, leaf lettuce, godetia, morning glory and calendula. |
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The old wicker chair is no longer safe to sit in. An old metal bucket filled with soil is a great home for some morning glory seeds. The plants eventually grew to cover all the chair. This old wicker shelf leans against a tree and now holds plants instead of books or ornaments. The birds will come and perch on top of it while eating their seeds. |
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Fill an old
wheelbarrow with dirt and plant in it.
If it is rusted
out like mine was you won't need to add drainage holes.
I have chives,
hens and chicks, and some other ground cover plants that like to
trail over the edges.
Any old piece of
garden equipment is great for planting in.
I have used an
old seed spreader, old metal buckets, an old watering can, and old wheelbarrows.
Remember to add
drainage holes.
Use old tires
filled with dirt to put tomato plants in.
During the day
the tires soak up the heat and over night that helps to keep the
plants warm.
Make a walkway
or patio area with stepping stones.
Plant thyme in
some of the gaps between the stones - it gives off a lovely scent
when you walk over them.
Moss gives a
garden a feeling of antiquity.
Unfortunately
moss is slow growing, but you can help the process along with a
"moss concoction".
Crumble a clump
of moss into a blender and add equal parts buttermilk and water.
Mix until well
blended,and pour over the areas where you would like moss to grow.
Keep moist and
soon you will have new moss growing around your walkway.
I heard this
idea on a gardening show on HGTV and it was also shared on a
gardening mailing list.
Mount a mailbox
on a wood post in your garden.
Use it as a spot
for storing gardening supplies .... gloves, tools, string, scissors, etc.
The birds might
also decide to use it as a bird house.
We have one
mounted on a post and I use it as a feeder
for the bluejays.
They love to
swoop in and pick up their "peanut mail".
How about
putting it on a high post and adding the words "Air Mail"
on the outside of the box.
It will make a
great birdhouse.
Make some of
your own stepping
stones to add in between plants in the garden.
Mix cement and
put into the various molds you can buy
... add
old cd's cut into small pieces to reflect the sunlight,
pottery, broken
glass and create a mosaic effect.
